Sandra A. Ashley, 58, of Phillipsburg, died March 7, 2004 in her home.

Born March 10, 1945 in New York City, N.Y., Sandra was a daughter of the late John B. and Anna L. Goins Ashley.

Sandra earned high honors and graduated from both the Long Island University and Columbia University.

Professionally, she worked to establish the first minority musician's resource guide while working at the New York State Office of Equal Opportunity. She also developed a nursing program for AIM students at Hunter College of the City University of New York. She also worked for several human services programs and volunteered at an adult rehabilitation center, adult learning center and helping her friends and family.

An advocate for human rights, Sandra was a founding member of the Black Social Workers Organization and was a member of CORE and the NAACP. These beliefs went beyond her life, and she taught her sister, nephews and nieces many important lessons in human rights and ethnic pride.

Sandra was a Christian and as a child, attended the First Reformed Church of Astoria, N.Y. Her faith was important to Sandra and she attended several churches through her life, including the Phillipsburg Alliance Church.

Survivors include a sister, Barbara J. Ashley of Rockaway Beach, N.Y., two nephews, two nieces, three grand-nephews, three grand-nieces, eight cousins and many friends and loved ones. A daughter died prematurely.

A service celebrating Sandra's life will be held 12:00 p.m. Friday in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg. Burial will be in Mt. Holiness Memorial Park, Butler, N.J. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until time of services Friday in the funeral home.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Palmer Dialysis Center, 30 Community Drive, Easton, Pa. 18045. Funds received will be used to benefit patient programs.