Sondra Wagshul

Sondra (Sandy) Wagshul was born February 24, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in the Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn (as she used to say, Brighton by the mud). Her childhood wasn’t always easy; her mother was often ill and the Depression years were a struggle. But there was love, laughter and always a premium on family values and education.

Sandy went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College, and a Masters in Biochemistry from Columbia University, en route to working at Sloan Kettering where she engaged in cancer research. She met the love of her life, Ely Wagshul, during a girls get-away to the Catskills, and they were married in 1959. She let go of her career in biochemistry when she decided to focus on raising a family. Together, through Ely’s Urological practice, Sandy and Ely built a strong foundation supporting the medical, temple and educational community in and around Meriden, Ct where they lived from mid-1960’s to 2001 when they moved to West Palm Beach.

Ely predeceased Sandy in 2013 after a long battle with Parkinson’s, during which Sandy stood incredibly strong as his care provider. She lived a life of putting others first, including ensuring her children had every opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams. Those who knew her well invariably commented on her distinctive personality of strong opinions, all consistently focused on some way helping people. Heaven help the people who did not want to sample a food she believed would give them a life-changing culinary experience!

Sandy loved to enjoy life, from continuously learning thru adult education classss, to travel, to shopping, to enjoying good books, the theater and fine food and wine- though all of that became much more difficult in the years following the loss of Ely. We will always remember the big smile on her face during those better times when they were together, and find solace in the belief that they are together again.

She is survived by her four children, Andrew, Beth, Jon and Karen, her 5 beloved grandchildren, Alex, Nicole, Grace, Max and Harrison and her brother, Dr. Donald Fein.

A memorial service for Sondra will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039.

To view the memorial service via the Livestream, please use the link below.