Sandra Schmidtke

Sandra F. “Sandy” Schmidtke, 81, of Woodbridge, NJ passed away on July 30, 2024. Sandy is survived by: her sister Connie Schmidtke Nebraska and husband William of Hernando, FL; her nephew Todd Nebraska and his wife Terri of Middlebury, VT; her nephew Paul Nebraska and his wife Jennifer of Westlake, OH; great-nephews Mark Nebraska and his wife Temerson, Ryan Nebraska, Samuel Nebraska; and great-niece Emily Nebraska. Sandy was born on February 27, 1943 in Connellsville, PA. The daughter of William and Theresa Schmidtke, she grew up with her parents and sister Connie in the nearby village of Monarch in Dunbar Township. Sandy attended Slippery Rock State College and graduated in 1965. After graduation she moved to Colonia, NJ to live with her sister Connie and brother-in-law Bill and to start her career as a teacher at Avenel Middle School. She moved to Colonia High School when it opened in 1967 and spent the rest of her career there as a physical education teacher, coach and Vice Principal. Her many achievements as a coach included 13 New Jersey State Championships in Cheerleading. Sandy retired in 2005 and was inducted into the Woodbridge Township Athletic Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2022.

“Miss Schmidtke” will be forever remembered by her students and colleagues as a trusted coach, mentor, advisor and most importantly, a friend. Sandy always looked to find and bring out the best in everyone around her. Beyond the championships and accolades she taught her students and coached her athletes to be winners in life. There is no greater gift that a coach or teacher can give. Sandy was and always will be the Last “Original” Patriot. For those wishing to pay their respects, there will be visiting hours at Gosselin Funeral Home in Edison on Friday August  2, 2024 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.

Sandy will be laid to rest with her father William Schmidtke, mother Theresa Schmidtke and brother William “Billy” Schmidtke at Sylvan Heights Cemetery in Uniontown, PA. The family is planning a celebration of life for Sandy in Woodbridge at a later date. More to follow on that. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Sandra Schmidtke Scholarship Fund c/o Colonia High School 180 East Street Colonia, NJ 07067

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