Sandra Schwartz Bertman

Sandra Schwartz Bertman lived her life with style and strength, with laughter that filled a room and a presence that brought joy to all who knew her. She passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13, at the Baton Rouge General Hospital, after a nearly four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 87 years old.

Sandy was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, with the street smarts and confidence that come naturally from growing up there. She later moved to Miami, Florida, where she began her teaching career at Maddie Ives Elementary School. That’s where she met Stanley “Skip” Bertman, a fellow teacher who would become the love of her life. Three months after they met, they were engaged. On February 11, 1962, they married and set off on a 63-year journey together—one filled with love, family, baseball, and an unshakable partnership.

In 1983, when the Bertmans moved to Baton Rouge, Sandy continued teaching, shaping young minds at Trinity Episcopal School and McKinley Middle School. She had a way of making an impression. Always put together, with perfectly polished nails and effortlessly elegant outfits, she carried herself with grace. But what people remembered most wasn’t her style—it was her warmth. Her laugh was big, her smile even bigger, and both could light up a room.

She was more than Skip’s wife—she was his constant, his anchor. Through five national championships at LSU, late-night strategy sessions and the whirlwind of baseball, Sandy was always there. The game played out under stadium lights, but she was the one keeping everything steady at home. Skip called her “Bear,” a tribute to the legendary coach Bear Bryant, but also a nod to her own toughness and loyalty.

Fans called her the “Queen of LSU Baseball.” They adored her; she adored them right back. Had she been the King—LSU’s coach—she might have won six championships.

Together, she and Skip raised four daughters and later became devoted grandparents. As “GeGe,” Sandy’s kindness extended beyond her grandchildren—anyone lucky enough to know her felt like family.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley “Skip” Bertman, and daughters Jan, Jodi, and Lori Bertman. She was a proud grandmother to Sophie, Isaac, Sam, and Ezra.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dr. Lisa Jo Bertman Pate, who passed away in 2012. She was also preceded by her sister, Ann Rheingold, and her parents, Samuel and Miriam Schwartz.

In her memory, donations can be made to the Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge (https://ujcbr.shulcloud.com/payment.php) and the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (https://marybird.org/giving/honor-a-loved-one/).

She was a teacher, a mother, a wife, a friend. A woman of resilience and grace, with a sharp wit and an open heart. She was GeGe. She was Bear. She was Sandy. And she will be deeply missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge, 3354 Kleinert Avenue in Baton Rouge. A Memorial Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Following the memorial service, a Celebration of Life Lunch Reception will be held.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com