We are saddened to share that founding NATJA media member and NATJA’s first Treasurer, Sandy Nesoff, passed away on January 24. She is survived by her husband and fellow NATJA member, Bob. Sandy and Bob were married for more than 55 years and shared a love for travel and storytelling. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob and their family during this difficult time. Below please find Sandy’s obituary.
Sandra R. (Sandy; nee Levine) Nesoff passed away Jan. 24 at home after a long illness. She was 77-years-young.
Sandy was born in the Bronx and moved to New Milford when she was 12-years-old. She was a New Milford resident with the exception of the first four years of her marriage to her husband, Bob, when they lived in Englewood. Sandy and Bob were married for more than 55-years.
Coincidentally they were both born in the same Bronx hospital, although she never hesitated to point out that he was born there more than five years before she was.
Sandy was a teacher in the New Milford school system and then transferred to Hasbrouck heights where she taught emotionally and disabled children. She left teaching when she gave birth to her first daughter, Wendy in 1968. She later had two more precious daughters, Barbara in 1970 and Karen 1974.
When her children entered school Sandy continued a career in caring for people. She was employed for 35-years by the Bergen County Board of Social Services, retiring as asocial worker/case manager. Sandy was a graduate of Hackensack High School and Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in education and multiple certifications in her chosen field of social work.
Always active and with a concern for her community Sandy served many years as chair of the New Milford Special Events Committee where she oversaw many Memorial Day parades, New Milford Day celebration, compiling and burying of a time capsule in front of Borough Hall and the placement of American Flags along River Road. Sandy officiated at the annual Veterans Day commemoration services and activities.
She was active in the former New Milford Jewish Center/Congregation Beth Tikvah prior to its merger with the Jewish Community center of Paramus. She was honored as the first and only woman president of Beth Tikvah, serving two terms.
Sandy served numerous terms as president of the NMJC/BT Sisterhood until the merger with Paramus. She was then a member of that center’s Sisterhood.
Sandy co-authored a travel column for 40-years with Bob. She also co-hosted a podcast with him: Travel Talk Radio. She was a founding member of the nationally recognized North American Travel Journalists Association and served as its first national treasurer. The organization today is respected as one of the premier journalism organizations.
Their travels took them throughout the world. They’ve been to many states in this country, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, England many times where they leave dear friends, France, throughout the Caribbean, Croatia, Romania, Hungary,
and many more. They visited Tahiti and the Sough Pacific, Hawaii, China, Hong Kong and Africa. Sandy was listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in New Jersey.
Sandy was not a skier but joined her husband, children and grandchildren on every trip they took to New York areas, Vermont, Massachusetts and then with Bob to the Alps in Switzerland. She always waited in the lodge for them to come off the slopes. They joked that while they all had ski pins for their jackets, she had “lodge pins.”.
Sandy was unique in that she always saw the brighter side of any event and never had a negative thought or word about anyone. Her compassion for people made her the perfect social worker. She would move heaven and earth to provide for those who were in need. Throughout a three-year battle with a variety of health issues she never once gave up hope or had a negative thought. She cheered up those around her.
Sandy was one of a kind…the kind this world need more of.
She was predeceased by her parents, Lou and Evelyn Levine. Sandy leaves her totally devastated husband, Bob, her three daughters, Wendy (Dave) Naimaister, Barbara (Jim Goebeler) Thorson, and Karen (Anthony) Kwiencinski; three beautiful grandchildren, Amanda Naimaister, Matthew Naimaister and Kyle Naimaister; sister Gloria (David) Hurwitz and brother Martin (Lisa) Levine.
The funeral will be Tuesday January 26 from Gutterman-Musicant Funeral Home in Hackensack at 9:30AM. Due to covid-19 the chapel is limited to the number of people who can safely attend. The service will be webcast so please call the chapel for the web address for the webcast. 201 489 3800
A fund has been started in her name with the Responders Run, a 501(c)3 charity that provides donations for the families of First Responders-Police, Fire, EMTs and military who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. Contributions may be sent to Responders Run, P.O. Box 1041, Paramus, NJ 07653.
Published in The Record/Herald News from Jan. 25 to Jan. 26, 2021.
