Alexandra Sklarz Bayley

Alexandra "Sandy" Sklarz Bayley of Cary, NC and of Ipswich, beloved wife of Charles ‘Don’ Bayley, passed away suddenly on December 16, 2021 at age 77, after a cardiac procedure.

Born October 16, 1944 in Ipswich, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Pauline (Sucharski) Sklarz. Sandy graduated from Ipswich High School in 1962 and married the love of her life, Don Bayley, in 1964.  As a young woman, Sandy worked for New England Telephone and Telegraph in Salem.

In 1964, she married her high school sweetheart and joined him at Ft Monmouth, NJ. In 1971, Sandy and her family moved to Cary, NC. The stipulation was that if she didn’t like it after a year, she could move back. She re-upped every year. Although a “stay at home” mom for many years, Sandy went on to work at IBM for numerous years and later retired from American Airlines in 2001. Along with her husband, Sandy loved her house and yard and all the improvements they made over fifty years. She was especially proud of the deck they designed and built themselves, which was the location of almost all family celebrations. Everyone loved Sandy’s very outgoing and fun-loving personality. No party would be complete without a game provided by her. In the summer, she could be found in her beloved hammock or lounging on her back piazza. Crafts of all kind were her love. She could do anything with a glue gun. With that in mind, her favorite time of year was Christmas and all the decorations. The focal point was her Christmas tree and all the ornaments she collected throughout her travels. It warmed everyone’s heart to know she was able to complete her tree decorating this year. Sandy was a very loving and dedicated wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She had many happy times with her grandchildren. They all loved Ipswich summer vacation trips with Gran which included Crane Beach days and “kids only” walks downtown. These vacation trips always concluded with the much-awaited fancy dinner at the Hart House restaurant. Sandy and Don enjoyed many loving years together and celebrated their 57th anniversary on November 27, 2021.

She will be very deeply missed by all her family and friends and will be with us forever.

In addition to her loving husband, Sandy is survived by two daughters, Vanessa Grant and her husband, Chip, Allison Dwyer and her husband, Robert; grandchildren, Bayley Grant, Alexandra Grant, Caroline Height and Charles Height, all of Cary, NC; two  brothers, David Sklarz of Newport, RI, Joseph Sklarz of Ipswich  and a sister, Nancy Lavoie of Ipswich. She was the sister of the late Cynthia Lemieux, Barbara Martel, Eleanore Riley, Carol Ann Collum and Edward Sklarz, all formerly of Ipswich.

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