Bradenton, FL - Sandra Elizabeth Sneed Ambrogi, 66, of Bradenton, Florida, died July 22, 2020, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tennessee. She was born Feb. 2, 1954, to Jackson and Margie (Jones) Sneed in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sandy was a 1972 graduate of Brainerd High School in Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee in 1975 with a degree in English and Journalism. She enjoyed writing and was the editor of the University’s literary magazine in 1974.
She and her late husband, Walter, owned and operated Ambrosia Catering in Nashville, Tennessee, for 25 years. The family referred to them as “the caterers to the stars.” Walter and Sandy shared a great love for animals, especially horses, and raised their children on a horse farm in Nolensville.
Sandy loved traveling the world on cruise ships with a group of her best friends. Her love of the Florida beaches and sunsets, Jimmy Buffett music, and manatees led her in 2015 to Bradenton, Florida, where her family had vacationed when she was a child.
She soon found her passion as a reporter on Anna Maria Island with The Islander newspaper, where she covered the local chamber of commerce and business happenings, features and some hard news, including the red tide oubreak in 2018-19. She was much admired by her fellow journalists and co-workers as a friend and a supporter of good causes. She adored her two young grandsons and looked forward to regular Facetime calls and their visits to the “Sandy Beach” on Anna Maria Island.
Sandy is survived by her brother Alan Sneed (Brookley); daughter Maria Weldon (Prescott); son Michael Ambrogi; and two grandsons, Jack and John.
The family plans to hold a memorial service at a later date in Nashville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Save the Manatee Club, 500 N. Maitland, FL 32751.
www.savethemanatee.org. Those wishing to share memories, express sympathy, and send “Hugs from Home” may do so by visiting
www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.
The family of Sandra Elizabeth Sneed Ambrogi is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.