SOUTH THOMASTON — Sandra ‘Sandy’ Zimmermann, born March 2, 1941, in Camden, Maine to Jesse Williard and Bertha Mae Ripley Sleeper and went to be with the Lord December 25, 2023, at the age of 82.

Sandy had a zest for life, her family, friends, and any stranger wearing a Red Sox hat. Although they never stayed a stranger for long. Within minutes Sandy would invite this new friend to Maine and of course stay with them. We often stopped for her to thank a Veteran or converse with anyone who had ever stepped in HER state of Maine. She loved the Keag more than anything.

Her mother and father ran the Keag store for many years and she would help when needed. One of her first jobs was at Van Balens as a seamstress. She achieved her Associate’s degree at Nassau Community College and her Bachelor’s at Queens College in her 50’s and went on to teach school in New York. She also obtained her real estate license, and sold houses in NY for a few years. Her main job was as a mom and raising her three children. She would sew outfits for them, make birthday cakes and would volunteer for a variety of activities such as: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Pee Wee Basketball.

In 1981 she met her soulmate, Robert Zimmermann, at a wedding for his nephew in Florida. They were married within 11 months and were dedicated to each other. They had parties, went to multiple Jets games, and traveled extensively, missing only three states in the US. Upon his retirement they became “snowbirds” and moved to Florida and Maine. He was always at her side even in her final moments.

Sandy loved to cook and entertain, to have lunch with her Sissy and friends, to read the newspaper from cover to cover as well as books. She was always stylish with her hair perfectly coifed, nails done and her make-up on. She loved clothes, especially anything purple or zebra. She was extremely patriotic and had her house here in Maine covered in flags inside and out. Her passion since 1956 was the Red Sox. She would shout At-A-Boys while watching the game. She also loved Neil Diamond and would sing and dance to his music even towards the end. Sweet Caroline of course for her boys and Hello Again Hello for her and Bobby’s song.

She was a member of the Spruce Head Community Church, Waldoboro Baptist Church, and Boca Calvary Church. She loved God with all her heart and met many of her good friends through these churches. She made sure her children and grandchildren knew of her faith. She always helped when she could at various church events and was often in one bible study or another.

Sandy had so many friends from her school days, church days, Maine, Florida and everywhere in between. She loved touring around company in NY, Maine and Florida. One friend stated that she was a bonus sister. She was predeceased by one of her dearest friends, Eleanor Kinney of Spruce Head.

Family members include her husband, Robert Zimmermann; children, Lee Ann Figueroa (Carlos), Mark Eugley, Beth Mirowsky (Nicholas); granddaughters, Shannon Garber (RC), Cheyanne Alba (James), Tiffany Jara (Rudy), Alexandra Aroyo; great-grandsons, Dominic Gonzalez and Rudolph Jara; sister Renee Kennedy (Robert); and a brother, David Sleeper (Cathy); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her brothers Jesse “Bub” Sleeper and Ray Sleeper.

A funeral service will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, at 1 p.m., at Spruce Head Community Church, 18 Village Road, South Thomaston. A celebration of life and reception will be held immediately following, (details to come).

In lieu of flowers donation in Sandra’s memory can be made to the Spruce Head Community Church, 18 Village Road, South Thomaston, ME 04858.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with Sandy’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.