Sanford M. Bienen
1937-2021
Sanford ” Sandy” Morton Bienen passed away peacefully in his home in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., on March 23 2021.
He was born January 26, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York.
He was pre-deceased by both parents, Irving and Nadja Bienen; first wife Kay Bienen; daughter Laura Bienen and recently his brother, Barry Bienen.
He is survived by his wife L. Alison D. Carter; daughter Janet Bienen and husband Charles Arnaud and granddaughter, Ashley Bienen.
Sandy spent his life helping others. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Maryland and a second Master’s in Public Health Administration from Johns Hopkins. He was a respected and beloved Regional Director for the State of Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration. His career focused on supervising state hospitals and community support programs to improve lives through innovative empowering mental health services. He was a key figure in developing RICA, the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in Rockville, Md. He was a strong supporter of the mental health consumer movement. After retirement, he served on community mental health boards. He also discovered a great passion and talent for acting on stage and in short movies, and a love for storytelling. He touched the lives of countless others, both professionally and personally, and will be greatly missed by many.
The Washington Ethical Society, of which he became a member during the pandemic, will be hosting a Remembrance Circle on Saturday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m. online at tiny.cc/wes remembers. This link and a virtual guestbook can be accessed online under his name through Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to supply food to those in need. Include on the check: “For FOOD – In Memory of Sandy Bienen” to: -Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, P.O. Box 1184, Martinsburg, WV 25402 – or to Starting Points,106 Sand Mine Road, Suite 6, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.
Announcing a Remembrance Circle for
Sanford “Sandy” M. Bienen
May 1, 2021, Saturday, at 10:30 a.m.
This online celebration of Sandy’s life is hosted by The Washington Ethical Society, where Sandy was a member, and will be facilitated by their Interim Leader, Lyn Cox.
You may join the Zoom event with this link: tiny.cc/wesremembers.
The Remembrance Circle will include a eulogy, three speakers sharing different areas of Sandy’s life, and time for brief personal sharing during the service, as well as sharing during “social time”.
Sandy’s obituary and a virtual guestbook for your comments and memories are online at the Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home, link: https://www.hunter-andersonfuneralhome.com/ obituary/sanford-sandy-bienen.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to provide needed food to: Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, P.O. Box 1184, Martinsburg, WV 25402; or to Starting Points, 106 Sand Mine Road, Suite 6, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411. Include on the check: “For FOOD – In Memory of Sandy Bienen.”
Feel free to circulate this Announcement to others who might be interested.
