Sarah Leona Stanczyk

Our sweet, beautiful daughter and sister, Sarah Leona Stanczyk, passed away after a long struggle with liver and kidney disease on July 24, 2022. She went peacefully in Miami, Fl, surrounded by the ones who love her endlessly, while holding hands with her mother who never left her side during her battle. Sarah was a South Florida native who attended Perrine Elementary, Southwood Middle and Coral Reef High School. Sarah was adventurous and lived a life full of travel and accomplishments.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree with Honors at the University Miami in Business Management & Business Administration. Sarah worked exceptionally hard and earned a Master’s of Science in Geospatial Intelligence & a GIST Certificate at the University of Southern California as well as a Master’s of Science in National Security & Intelligence at Nova Southeastern University.  Sarah was incredibly excited and thrilled to achieve her dream job working under the Department of Defense for Axim Geospatial, LLC at Joint Andrews Base in Maryland and Washington D.C., supporting the Air Force.

Sarah is survived by her loving parents, Shelley & Stanley Stanczyk, her sisters Katie Gonzalez & Kelley Stanczyk, her brother-in-law Frank Gonzalez, nieces Hailey, Madison, Annabel Gonzalez, her nephew Carson Gonzalez, and extended family in St. Louis, MO and friends throughout the world. Sarah is the widow of Sgt. David W. Gonzalez of the US Army (9/16/1979 - 9/19/2008), who served 2 tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 1 tour in Iraq with KBR.  She subsequently lost her fiancé Army Sgt 1st Class David E. Metzger of the Special Forces – Green Berets who was killed in action in Afghanistan.

Sarah battled for many years with liver and kidney disease and received the gift of life on August 4, 2015, of a liver transplant that gave her family and friends more time with her. Sarah was always so very thankful for everyone’s love, support, prayers, and encouragement throughout her journey. Sarah was such a fighter and fought so hard every day, but her body was tired and needed rest. We are especially thankful for the time we had with her and only wish love could have saved her. The entire world is a whole lot less bright without her here.

Sarah was buried with her husband David W. Gonzalez on August 4, 2022, at the South Florida National Cemetery to forever be with the one she loved dearly.

We will hold a celebration of life memorial at Pinecrest Gardens, in the Cypress Hall in honor of Sarah on Sunday, August 21, 2022, from 1PM to 5PM. Our family invites everyone who loved Sarah from near and far, who loves her family and those who have supported us throughout this journey, to please join us for a gathering, a hug, the sharing of memories and refreshments.

She was truly a beautiful soul, and she will be forever missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider becoming a registered organ donor https://www.donatelife.net/

Memorial Details: Pinecrest Gardens (formerly Parrot Jungle – 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest, Florida 33156) – August 21, 2022, 1PM-5PM