Sandra K. "Cookie" Sobieralski

1944 - 2021

Sandra K.

“Cookie” Sobieralski

Sept. 15, 1944 - Feb. 2, 2021

SOUTH BEND, IN -

Sandra K. “Cookie” Sobieralski, 76, of South Bend, IN, daughter of Elmer and Anna Zsedely and sister of Elmer, Michael, Marlene and Victor, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, due to complications stemming from a long and valiant battle with cancer.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents as well as her brothers, Elmer, Michael, and Victor, and her longtime partner, Raymond DeMeyer. She is survived by her sister, Marlene “Marty” Lentych of South Bend, IN, daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Michael McCoy of South Bend, IN, son and daughter-in-law, Damian and Nicole Sobieralski of Indianapolis, IN, son, Dominic Sobieralski of South Bend, IN and grandsons, Ryan McCoy of South Bend, IN and Dedric Wray-Sobieralski of Ann Arbor, MI along with an abundance of nieces and nephews.

Cookie enjoyed British mysteries, especially Poirot and Miss Marple. She was a huge Harry Potter fan and participated in indoor and outdoor gardening, cooking, crocheting, crossword puzzles, and word finder puzzles. She enjoyed long drives with no destination in mind, and spending time with family and friends. She was a huge animal lover and an advocate for education. This love for animals led Sandra to open a grooming shop and no-kill animal shelter in the 1990's, named Gentle Touch Grooming in Mishawaka, which saved hundreds of animals in the area from euthanasia, before closing its doors in 2000. Not only that, but Sandra also sheltered at-risk teens in the late 1980s, where she pushed education and family values to help give these teens a family and the support that they needed to blossom and flourish, and ultimately to lead productive lives. Prior to these passions, Sandra served as an apartment manager for Holladay Corporation, where she managed both Portage Place Apartments of South Bend and West Jefferson Apartments in Mishawaka.

Sandra will be sorely missed by friends, family, and every person she encountered. She was a beacon of light for many of her fellow cancer patients whose spirits she would lift in the waiting room in hopes that she could make their day just a little bit brighter. Memorial contributions may be made in Sandra's name to Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

There are no formal services scheduled at this time. An informal Celebration of Sandra's Life is tentatively set to be held later this spring. Close friends and family will be notified.

HANLEY and Sons Funeral Homes is assisting Sandra's family with final arrangements and wish to extend their condolences and heartfelt prayers to all of her family and friends.

Condolences can be expressed at www.hanleyandsonsfuneral homes.net.