Ileen Sadowski

Ileen Nelson Sadowski

Rochester-Ileen Nelson Sadowski, born November 14, 1929, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul J. Sadowski Jr. (2010); son Paul J. Sadowski III (2011); brothers Harold (Evelyn) and Burdette (Maxine) Nelson; and sister, Dolores (Wendell) Eaton. Ileen's surviving children, Laura Sadowski and Daniel (Christina Wikle) Sadowski, and daughter-in-law Diane (Davis) Sadowski will treasure her memory as will grandson Jackson (Angelica) Sadowski; granddaughter Mailey (Nate) Boehm; great grandchildren Ava, Bennett, and Caden Sadowski; Maverick and Delilah Boehm; many loving nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Ileen was born in Abbotsford, Wisconsin, the fourth child of Isaac and Laura Emling Nelson, following the untimely passing of her father and just weeks after the Wall Street crash of 1929. These circumstances informed her frugal but generous nature.

With her grandparents and several "maiden aunts," Ileen's family moved to Angola, Indiana where she and her siblings thrived among a loving extended family in a large but modest home they operated as a boarding house for students from nearby Tri-State College. Students became family and Ileen maintained lifelong friendships with many who boarded with them. Ileen was one of 48 members of the Angola High School class of 1948, and she kept contact with many of her classmates and outlived most. When she passed, Ileen was one of only two remaining '48ers.

Attending Indiana University in Bloomington on scholarship, Ileen met Paul Sadowski who was attending IU thanks to the G.I. Bill. Their love of the "Cream and Crimson" created a lifelong affinity for Hoosier athletics. Their marriage in 1953 led to 56 years together until Paul's passing in 2010.

After marrying, Ileen and Paul lived in Marblehead, Danvers, and Reading, MA, where she taught elementary school and they made lifelong friends, before settling in the late 1950s in the Rochester area where their family and circle of friends continued to grow.

Ileen was a loving, devoted mother to her own children and she was a favorite among many other children in the Indian Hills neighborhood in Henrietta where she and Paul were among the first homebuyers in 1961. Extra kids were always welcome at the family table where Ileen's grilled cheese and fried egg sandwiches (always served with chocolate milk) were legendary.

As parents and grandparents in the Rush-Henrietta School District, their interest in baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, and cheerleading was focused based on which child was participating in which activity at any given time. As parents to a team member of Cornell University's NCAA Championship lacrosse team, they were devoted to the Big Red. And as residents of Western New York for 60+ years they were tried and true fans of the Buffalo Bills.

Ileen was a gifted writer and an active correspondent until recent years, communicating with family and many friends near and far, until Parkinson's Disease made it impossible for her to do so.

In addition to cheering on her children and grandchildren, Ileen's interests included family gatherings, cooking, baking, reading, watching classic movies, and traveling on "chick trips" with sister Dee, and their daughters. She loved every single minute she spent with her family.

Those who knew Ileen described her as kind, smart, sweet, and generous. To her family, she was brave and tenacious. When referring to her own circumstances, she often said "I have been so lucky for so long," which was later amended to include "you might even say 'blessed.'" The Sadowski family was lucky and blessed to have had our sweet Ileen-our beloved Mom, Gram, and GG- in our lives for so long.

To the many friends who have inquired, "How is your mother?"- she is now at peace after a long life well lived. We are deeply grateful for your interest, empathy, and love. Special thanks to the staff at Episcopal Church Home and especially on South Hall 2 for your good care of Ileen in her final year.

At Ileen's request, there will be no calling hours or service. In her memory and those of her beloved husband Paul, and son, Paul, please consider organ donation.