Sandra " Sandy" I Neilson

Sandra I. Neilson “Sandy" ( nee Irwin ) 86 of Scotch Plains, died peacefully at home on Wednesday August 28, 2025.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 11 am from All Saints Episcopal Church on Park Avenue 
in Scotch Plains. Visitation will be on Wednesday September 3, 2025 from 5pm to 8pm at the Rossi Funeral Home in Scotch Plains. 
Cremation will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Sandy to : The Center for Hope Hospice and can be made online at :https://cfhh.org

Sandra lovingly known to all family and friends as Sandy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, living and growing up in Lansdowne Pa, 
settling in the Scotch Plains - Fanwood, NJ area in 1969. 
 Sandy was a 1957 graduated of Lansdowne High School and went on to study nursing at UPenn, eventually graduating from Limestone College in South Carolina in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Sandy was an active member of many organizations while at Limestone, her greatest love however was playing Varsity Tennis. Later in life, Sandy study counseling at Union County College receiving an Associates in Bereavement Counseling.
Sandy put her counseling degree to great use, counseling inmates both at Rahway State Penitentiary and the Federal Prison at Fort Dix. She volunteered at Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains and was always just a phone call away for many people far and wide, who had lost loved ones or just needed someone to listen.   Sandy worked with the Rossi Funeral Home for over 30 years helping families at their most difficult times. 

 Growing up in Pennsylvania, Sandy and her family spent summers enjoying the Jersey Shore, specifically in Cape May. Sandy cherished these memories and they were made even more special meeting the love of her life, her late husband Rev. John R. Neilson. 

Sandy was very well known for her enthusiastic sense of humor and shenanigans, almost nothing was beyond a good laugh or practical joke. 

She was an outspoken member of the Yarmouth Court. HOA, member of the Scotch Plains Republican committee, an active member of the All Saints Parish Community and a die hard Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan. She loved sports SOOO much, she even sent an official application to West Point Military Academy when they had a head football coach vacancy. 

Sandy is predeceased by her beloved husband, Rev. John R. Neilson, Pastor Emeritus of All Saints Church in Scotch Plains and her brother Doug Irwin. 
Sandy is survived by her loving son Tim and wife Maggie, Cherished grandchildren Jack and Reagan, caring sister in law Anne J Neilson, her adored nieces and nehpew, Elizabeth, Anne & Steven Irwin. She is also survived by her grandniece and nephews, Grace Dittrich, Douglas, Ben & Jake Irwin.  Sandy is also survived by her loving and caring care giver Ama.  

As Mrs Neilsons final practical joke, the following life achievements were kept secret until after her obituary was written and posted:
well done Sandy, both in life and death ! We will always love you and miss you, and you are finally back with your Bob. xo

• Certified Gerontologist.


• Graduate studies in Bereavement, Gerantology & Human Services


• Elected Who's Who among students in American Universities & Colleges


• Elected Sigma Phi Omega, the National Gerontology Academic Honor & Professional Society


• Awarded the Womens Achievemnet award by the NJ State Assembly 


• Republican Committeewoman for Union County


• Former member of the Pastoral Care Department of Overlook Hospital


• Bereavement facilitator for Overlook Hospital Hospice 


• Volunteer for the Coalition for the Homeless


• Volunteer for the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross- Service for the blind


• Volunteer at Children's Specialized Hospital


• Volunteer with Contact We Care


• A member of the Scotch Plains Rescue squad Auxilary and Counselor