Sandra Lee Wokanovicz Stolze

Sandra Stolze, a selfless mother, devoted family member and tireless representative of hard work, passed away on February 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, FL at the age of 80.

Born on October 6, 1944, in Bridgeport, CT, to Edward and Mildred Wokanovicz, Sandra turned her youthful energy and love for music, dancing and making friends into a unique model of familial dedication and professional success.

Sandy grew up in Fairfield, CT, with her parents, her brother Eddie and her sisters Betty Jane and Patricia, adoring Elvis, attending church, cheerleading at Andrew Warde High School, and in all likelihood, dreaming of a life bound by few rules and filled with many adventures.

After studying for two years at Central Connecticut State University, Sandy married Ralph Stolze in September of 1965, kickstarting a new phase of life that would forever be about giving to and doing for others. Her first son, Todd, arrived in 1967, followed by Scott ('71) and Chris ('72). While figuring out a dynamic family life and becoming a great mom, she worked for several retail shops and stores, before eventually taking a role with a local bank in Fairfield County.

Something about banking clicked because without any prior background in the industry, Sandy went from teller to supervisor to loan officer, to ultimately becoming a Vice President with Merrill Lynch Credit Corp, and later, with JP Morgan Chase. By the late 1980s, she had made her mark with family and with co-workers, known as someone who produced effort, passion and results. Sandy had become so valuable to management at Merrill Lynch that the family relocated from Fairfield to Jacksonville FL in late 1989 so she could continue in her role with the company.

It didn't matter if she was handing out stacks of presents to her husband and three sons on Christmas morning (we're talking stacks), planting new shrubs in the backyard on a Saturday (she called it therapeutic and her reprieve from work), or taking one of her kids or grandkids to the store to buy them clothes (often too many clothes), Sandy did everything with equal parts high work ethic, equal parts high empathy. Whatever the task, she gave her all and always with other people in mind.

Daughter, sister, wife, mother, Bank Teller, Vice President. It doesn't matter. Those were just names and titles. Sandra's legacy was never in the "what". It was always in the "how". How she did it, and how she made others feel. 

Sandra is survived by her husband Ralph, her sons Scott and Chris, her grandchildren Sarah and Zachary, her sisters Betty Jane and Patricia, her sister-in-law Ann, her niece Chrissy, and numerous other cousins, nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her brother Eddie and her son Todd.

There will be a Celebration of LIfe Service for Sandra at Spear Miller Funeral Home at 39 South Benson Road in Fairfield, CT on Thursday, February 20, from 4pm to 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, and if you're so inclined, you can make a donation to the Todd Stolze Scholarship Fund at Stratford High School (Stratford, CT). Todd Stolze Scholarship Fund, c/o Tabitha Cruz, Stratford High School, 245 King St., Stratford, CT 06615.