Sandra Jean Nagel

On October 24, 2024, the world lost a kind and beautiful soul, Sandra Jean Nagel, affectionately known as Sandy.

Born on June 28, 1949, Sandy was raised and lived much of her life in Dunellen, NJ where she relished the tight knit, family-like environment. She was happily married to the love of her life, Kenneth James Nagel Sr, for eighteen beautiful years before his premature passing in 1985. Together with her husband, and then alone, Sandy built a family filled with love and strength, raising three strong and devoted sons -- Kenneth James Nagel Jr, Troy Richard Nagel, and Derek Edward Nagel. Sandy's love for her family was limitless - it truly meant everything to her.

Sandy had a sweet tooth, enjoying her daily pack of Smarties, and liked to pretend that nobody knew that she liked to sneak a cigarette when nobody was looking. She shared a special bond with her mother and her sister/best friend, Susan Harris, both of whom she spoke with almost every day until their passing in 2008 and 2022, respectively. Known as the "Golden Girls," Sandy along with her mom and sister, could often be seen arguing over who gets to pay the restaurant bill or heard laughing hysterically in the corner at family gatherings, threatening to wet themselves with laughter. Above all she valued the time she got to spend with her family and friends, and in particular her sons and their families. Distance and time apart from them were her worst enemies.

Sandy is predeceased by her husband Ken, her parents, Richard and Violet Johnson, and her only sister Susan. But her spirit lives on with her three sons and their wives, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandson, including: Kenny and his wife Sandy (Hart) Nagel, along with their children Abby and Henry; Troy and his wife Carrie (Spontak) Nagel, along with their children Bailey, Hannah (Nagel) Wroblewski, along with her husband Joshua and their son Calvin, and Quinn; Derek and his wife Beth (Goteiner) Nagel, along with their sons Kaden and Logan. In addition to her immediate family, Sandy enjoyed a very close relationship with her brother-in-law Joseph Harris, her nephew Todd Harris and his son Nicholas.

Together her family carries forward her legacy of love and kindness. Though she has left this world, Sandy's spirit and memories will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her life was a beautiful testament to love of family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered with deep affection and love.

The family is planning a church service and reception for family and friends to gather and celebrate Sandy's life in the weeks ahead. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Scleroderma Foundation, scleroderma.org/donate.