Obituary of Sandra M. Jasinski

      Sandra M. Jasinski, 65, of Utica, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

   Sandra was born in Utica, on January 14, 1959, the daughter of Richard and Dolores (Sangregoria) Mundschenk. She was raised in Utica and was a proud graduate of Utica Free Academy and the Utica School of Commerce. Early in her career, Sandra was employed with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. She then spent the next ten years proudly raising her young children at home. Later, she found her true calling in teaching. She was a teacher’s assistant in the Utica City School District for 25 years. She worked at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School and Albany Elementary School. Her love for her students and their success was seen and felt daily.

     Sandra had a personality that was beautiful and bright. Her laugh and engaging presence lit up any room. She had a strong faith and love for God that shone throughout her daily life. She enjoyed socializing and going places with her friends. From movie nights with her neighbors to girls’ night dinner outings, she always kept everyone laughing.

     What brought her the most joy in life was her family, especially her beloved children, Gregory and Marie, whom she had with their father, Thomas Jasinski. She nurtured and loved her children beyond measure and instilled in them the strength and compassion that will guide them throughout their lives. She was always the first to organize a family get together, be their strength or counsel when needed, and was always there for anyone, anytime. She was so proud to become a grandma, and absolutely adored spending time with her three precious grandchildren, Liana, Caylin and Adam. She loved them dearly and they shared countless laughs and made beautiful memories together. She also loved her rascal grandpup, Gadget, and all his antics.

       Sandra loved the outdoors, especially camping at Cold Brook Campsites, Nick’s Lake and Lake Ontario. She had a great love for gardening with a green thumb that could bring any plant to life and keep it thriving. She had a natural talent for sewing. Over the years, she made many Halloween costumes, tutus, dresses and pajamas. She also baked the best pies around and her recipes were second to none. Many fond family memories were made in the kitchen. She could also figure out how to fix just about anything, all she needed was some time and Gorilla Glue.

     Sandra is survived by her mother, Dolores Mundschenk; son, Gregory (Shannon) and daughter, Marie (Devon); cherished grandchildren, Liana, Caylin and Adam. She is also survived by her sister, Susan Buell (Dale), brothers, Robert Mundschenk (Judy) and Gary Mundschenk (Stacey); six nieces, Sarah, Hannah, Rose, Alice, Alison and Olivia; and two great-nephews, Christopher and Jack. She was predeceased by her father, Richard, loving grandmothers, grandfathers and special great-aunts.

       Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Sandra’s funeral Mass of Christian burial on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Historic Old St. John’s Church, John St. in Utica, NY. She will be laid to rest in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Yorkville, NY. Visitation for family and friends is Thursday, March 21st from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica. Those wishing to donate in Sandra’s memory, please consider Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen, 702 Columbia St., Utica, NY 13502.

       Sandra’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sharma and her clinical trial team at St. John’s Cancer Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Dr. Hemminger and her medical team at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, for their exceptional care they provided to Sandra. They also extend a special thank you to Renee Dye for all the love and amazing care she provided to Sandra over the past six months, and for the support she gave to her family to make each day better.