PSA Member News

I would like to thank the PSA for their contribution to the Arbor Day Foundation in memory of my mother, Sandra Weinberg. 120 trees will be planted in Bootleg Fire Recovery in Oregon. Thank you for keeping my mother and my family in your thoughts.

SANDRA LOUISE WEINBERG
December 18, 1934 – February 7, 2024

SANDRA LOUISE WEINBERG, 89, of Voorhees, NJ passed away peacefully in her home on February 7, 2024, of lung disease.

Sandy was born on December 18, 1934 to Emanuel and Goldie (Crass) Rake in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1952.  Sandy is predeceased by the love of her life, her husband, Harris, who died of leukemia in 1982.

Sandy and Harris started dating shortly before he enlisted in the US Navy. Harris courted Sandy by mail throughout his service, stationed first in California and then in Japan.  He was a romantic and wrote her love letters that would make you blush.  Although her parents tried to talk her out of it, they ultimately gave independent-minded Sandy permission to stay with Aunt Symmy so that she could visit Harris in California when he was on leave in 1955.  It was there that Harris proposed to Sandy, and they decided to marry on his return in 1956.  They settled down in Philadelphia, PA and later in Cherry Hill, NJ to raise their three children.

Like many women of her generation, Sandy expected to be a stay-at-home mom foremost. Not that she stayed at home — she welcomed hard work and was proud to contribute to the family. She worked in a number of retail jobs to help make ends meet.  Given her sweet tooth, it was fitting when she opened her own candy shop, “The Sweet Treat” in downtown Philadelphia – a fun enterprise that her kids fully enjoyed being a part of.

Sandy delighted in making a comfortable and loving home for her family. But life had other plans for Sandy.  Devastated by the loss of Harris, Sandy eventually found new meaning in her life by giving to others. Compassionate and caring, Sandy volunteered for local groups (from a mental health hotline to hospice) to help others deal with life’s challenges. Sandy found she had a talent for listening to and supporting others.  She enrolled in Rutgers University Camden, earning first a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1987 and then a Masters of Social Work in 1989. Her family and friends were so proud!

Upon graduation, Sandy took a position as employment counselor for the State of New Jersey, where she improved the lives of hundreds of New Jerseyans for 25 years, until her retirement in 2014.

A self-described introvert (that those who knew her often disputed), Sandy was confidant to a close circle of friends. She loved playing canasta, mahjong, reading, going to dinner and the theater, and traveling.

There was nothing Sandy valued more than being head Mom of the family. She gave her sisters, kids and grandkids unconditional love and unending generosity.  She loved long conversations with family members (as did they), asking every imaginable question to understand their lives – no detail was too small. She was her kids’ and grandkids’ chief cheerleader, celebrating all their major and minor accomplishments with enthusiasm; and offering her shoulder for the tough times. Of course, she loved to spoil her grandchildren as only the best grandmother could!

Sandy is survived by her children David Weinberg (Nicole Bouvier) of Washington DC, Jay Weinberg (Bernadette) of Cherry Hill, NJ, and Judith Chess (Jay) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren Harris and Kathryn Bouvier-Weinberg and Benjamin Weinberg; and sisters Joan Yablon (Allan) of Pikesville, MD and Linda Rake of Sebastopol, CA. She also leaves several nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Sandy’s life will be celebrated on Sunday, March 3 at Platt Memorial Chapels, 2001 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ. Family and friends can gather as early as 1:15 PM; service begins at 2:00 PM. The service can be streamed at this time via the Platt Memorial website.

The family encourages donations to Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org) or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.