Sandra Rembert Steedly Romberg has died at age 89 surrounded by those who loved her. A native of Bamberg, South Carolina, she grew up in the low country with a love of family, faith, and music. From an early age, she loved the piano which led her to Columbia College where she continued her study of music and was the accompanist for the Columbia College choir. After graduating in 1958 with a childhood education major, she looked for a teaching job and accepted one in Gainesville, Georgia–a town she thought would be “a nice place to stay for a year or two”–but then she met and married George Romberg and has called Gainesville her home ever since.
For the next 67 years, she left an indelible mark on the Gainesville community. Through her 43 years of teaching 2 nd and 3 rd grades at all Gainesville elementary schools, she was regarded for being a fair and fun teacher. Many of her students remember her productions of “The Little Red Hen” and her “math flashcard baseball” games. Sandra is also remembered for her work with the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, and the First Families of South Carolina, and she has been an active member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church for almost 65 years. And while she enjoyed being engaged in her community, her love of music never waned as she continued her study and presented two pianos four-hand recitals and performances with fellow music lover Marian Martin Hosch. Through her teaching and music, she touched the lives of many.
After her retirement, she and her husband took piano lessons for 15 years from Dr. Keith Jefcoat at Brenau University. They then played duets, four hands on one piano and gave programs and recitals that featured classical, religious, and popular music. Together they also raised their daughter, Jane Rembert, and enjoyed traveling together both to national parks and on ocean and river cruises.
Mrs. Romberg is preceded in death by her parents Lois Herriot and Howard Floyd Steedly and brother-in-law, Frank Bartholomew. She is survived by her husband, George Julius Romberg, her daughter, Jane Rembert Romberg Chance, and son-in-law, Benjamin Pierce Chance, sister, Judith Steedly Bartholomew, and nephews David and Daniel Bartholomew.
Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 21, at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. A reception will be held at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gainesville First United Methodist Church at 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, or the charity of your choice.
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com
Arrangements are in the care of Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.
