Sandra K. DeGraff

Sandra “Sandy” Ketelhut DeGraff, age 91, of West Hartford, CT passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Dr. Arthur C. “Chris” DeGraff, Jr., on October 3, 2025. Born in Meriden, CT, she was the daughter of the late Henry W. Ketelhut, President and Chairman of City Savings Bank in Meriden, and Dorothea Marie Ketelhut (born Ramcke), and was predeceased by her brother, Dwight Ketelhut.

Sandy leaves behind her loving family: son, Arthur C. “Turk” DeGraff, III and his wife Amy of West Hartford; her daughter, Betsy D. Sands and her husband Christopher of Winchester, MA; 6 grandchildren: Nolan Zoccali (Matthew), Katherine Davis (Joel), Matthew Rand (Amy), Matthew Sands (Emily), Jennifer Burns (Jared) and Katrina Sands (Christopher Gilbert) and 7 great-grandchildren.

Sandy graduated from Meriden High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Wheaton College, Norton, MA in 1956. Shortly after graduating, she married Chris DeGraff and moved to NYC where she was employed as a Senior Research Analyst at New York Life while her husband served his internship and first year medical residency at Bellevue Hospital. They then moved on to New Orleans where Sandy taught 7th and 8th grade math. From there, they moved on to San Antonio, Dallas, and finally settled in West Hartford. Sandy worked behind the scenes in her husband’s private medical practice managing the finances for 30 years and volunteered in several capacities at Hartford Hospital. She served as a Corporator for the Hospital, and was a Board Member, Treasurer and Chairman of the Education Committee of the Hartford Hospital Auxiliary. She also served on the boards of the Greater Hartford Red Cross, the Civic Music Association of the Bushnell Memorial, the Town & County Club, and was a founding board member of the Lyman Heritage Preservations Foundation.

Sandy loved to travel and enjoyed the many trips she took with her husband throughout the United States and abroad, summers in Newtown on the “farm” and winters in Vermont. She cherished every moment spent with her husband, family and friends. She lived with a “can do” attitude, never wavering in her desire and willingness to pitch in and help, a trait passed down to all generations. Her smile and energy were infectious. She will be remembered with love.

Services will be privately held at the convenience of Sandra’s family. For online condolences, please see her obituary at: www.beecherandbennett.com.