Obituary of Sandra Lee Zielinskie

Sandra Lee Zielinskie passed away on February 20, 2024 in Warren, NJ from complications with Lewy Body Dementia. She was with her family and passed in peace.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 25, from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, N.J. A church service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2024 at Millington Baptist Church, 520 King George Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.

Sandy was born to Samuel and Betty (Shroyer) Eveland on December 7, 1946, in Danville, Pennsylvania. She grew up in her hometown of Shamokin before attending Shippensburg University. She graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. That same year she married her elementary school sweetheart, Joseph Zielinskie. They lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and finally settled in Basking Ridge, New Jersey in 1990. Along the way Sandy and Joe compiled stories of home, friends, family, wacky pets, and memories that they shared for years to come. Her Christian faith and values were the foundation of her life.

Sandy was a teacher for many years and spoke fondly of her time in education. After moving to NJ, she transitioned into real estate where she loved connecting with people and seeing the beautiful homes and architecture of Basking Ridge.

For the majority of her life, Sandy sang baritone in her beloved barbershop chorus’ - first with Evergreen in Poughkeepsie, NY and then with the Ramapo Spotlight Chorus in Ramapo, NJ. She performed with her chorus across the country both competitively and for fun with a highlight of appearing at Carnegie Hall. Always musical, Sandy played the piano for her bible study every week, and at family celebrations she played with joy, always harmonizing any tune. Loving the comradery of a show, she also participated in community theater. Leading up to and especially after retirement, Sandy could be found at all hours of the night gardening her lawn with care, always battling the deer. She was also an avid and competitive bridge player.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Joseph Zielinskie of Shunk, Pennsylvania, her son, J. Cameron Zielinskie and his partner Magdalena Reilly of Tewksbury, NJ, her daughter Ginger Zielinskie and husband Jonathan Woodring of Yardley, Pennsylvania, and daughter Holly Zielinskie and husband Jeffrey Bates, of Rye, NY. Her beloved grandchildren will miss her so, Ava Joelle Zielinskie, Adrian Christopher Woodring, Sylvia Lee Woodring, Braeden Cole Zielinskie, Pepper Lynne Bates, Rosalyn Eveland Woodring, and Frances Louise Bates. 

Sandy’s musical talents, quick smile and quicker wit will be missed by all. Her grandchildren each possess the qualities of a wonderful woman that they will carry on for generations that follow. 

For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com