Obituary of Sandra A. Peslak

Sandra Peslak, age 69, of Bridgeport, CT, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2016, in her home surrounded by her loving family. Sandra was born on February 18, 1947 in Bridgeport, CT to the late Robert and Antoinette (Scinto) Sherwood Sr. Sandra was a loving wife for 49 years to her husband, Theodore Peslak, her one forever love, whom she married on July 15, 1967. Sandy was a dedicated elementary school teacher and taught in Bridgeport, CT for over 35 years. She began her career as a substitute teacher and went on to teach 5th grade at Saint Ambrose School. In 1987 she transferred to teach at Read School where she taught 1st grade for 27 years. During her years as an educator, Sandy touched the lives of countless youth as well as the lives of her colleagues. Many of her previous students would often come back and visit her to thank her for her stern, yet loving approach to teaching. Aside from her legacy as an excellent educator, Sandy was also an incredibly generous and selfless individual. She donated to numerous charities and never hesitated to add someone to her prayers. In her spare time she was a voracious reader, crossword puzzle extraordinaire and devoted QVC shopper. Countless new babies have been the recipient of Sandy’s exquisite crocheted blankets. Family and friends will forever remember holidays that featured an abundance of food which never failed to include her homemade pizza, “gravy” and cookies. Her family and loved ones will always abide by Sandy’s kind demands to “eat something” and “be safe.” Sandy loved being “Mema” to her two granddaughters who were the light of her life. She treasured the time she spent with them baking, crafting and shopping and loved them to the moon and back. In addition to her beloved husband Theodore, she is survived by her son, Scott Peslak and wife Lisa of Oxford, CT; her daughter, Jill (Peslak) Russo and husband Michael, and their daughters, Hailey and Courtney of Milford, CT. She is the beloved sister of Robert Sherwood Jr, his wife Sarri, and their children, Bayne, Robert III (Veronica), and Kelly of Ridgefield, CT. Sandra is also survived by her beloved nieces, Kim Rioux, her husband Roy, and their children, Mallory and Jackson of Seymour, CT; Deborah Petro and her children, Taylor and Mathew DiNicola, of Milford, CT. She is also survived by her aunt, Marie Riccio and Uncle, Pat Scinto. She leaves behind many cousins, her loving friends Olga, Winnie, Linda, and countless others. Sandra is predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Sherwood, and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Scinto; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sherwood Sr.; her sister, Beverly Sherwood Petro; her paternal aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Connelly, her maternal aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore Orticelli; and her maternal uncle, Michael Riccio; as well as several cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial meeting directly in church will be celebrated on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, CT. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport. Friends may greet the family on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rock Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.