Sandra D. Brennan

Sandra D. (Sobolewski) Brennan, 75, a life-long resident of Manchester, NH, passed away at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH, after several months of a courageous battle with terminal end stage heart failure, on June 1, 2024. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, daughter/sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and dear friend to many.

Sandra (Sandi) was born on May 14, 1949, at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH to Helen (Kazanowski) Sobolewski and Stanley Sobolewski. She was extremely proud of her Polish heritage, and would often share the story of how all 4 of her grandparents immigrated to the USA from Poland - leaving their families behind when they were teenagers in the early 1900’s. In fact, during Sandra’s childhood, Polish was often the language spoken at home, so she actually spoke Polish before she learned English. Sandra was very proud to live in the childhood home that her father helped build, where she was born, raised, and remained until her final days. She especially cherished living next door to her first and best lifelong friend since they were babies, whose grandparents, like hers, immigrated from Poland and were close friends.

Sandra attended Amoskeag School for grammar school, which she would often recall fond memories. She graduated from Manchester High School West, class of 1967, and was very proud that her daughter was a third-generation graduate from the same high school that she and her mother both graduated from. She then went on to attend Fisher Junior College in Boston, MA.

Throughout her life, Sandra worked at Eileen’s Wholesale, Inc. (Schlitz beer distributer) in Manchester NH, Merchants Saving Bank which then became Numerica Bank in Manchester, NH, Earth and Tree Dollhouses & Miniatures in Amherst, NH, and was the co-owner of Omega Communications in Manchester, NH for many years. However, Sandra’s most favorite job and cherished role in life was being a mother. Above all, “Mommy” was her favorite and most important job title. Sandra’s daughter was her pride-and-joy. She was her daughter’s biggest supporter and advocate, and she was endlessly proud of her beloved daughter.  

Sandra was involved in several clubs and organizations over her lifetime. Most notably, as a teenager/young adult, she was a proud member of “The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls” (aka: “Rainbow Girls”), in which she was so honored to have served as a Worthy Advisor. Rainbow Girls was a very important part of her life, which she would often still talk about to this day. Sandra was a member of the Optimist Club in Manchester, NH for many years in the 80’s/90’s, through which she helped to positively impact the lives of many children in the community. She was also a very involved parent throughout her daughter’s schooling, and was always a strong member and advocate of the Parent Teacher Associations at her daughter’s schools. Being such an involved parent brought Sandra immense pride and joy.

Sandra is survived by her husband of 51 years, Dennis Brennan, of Manchester, NH, her beloved daughter, Jessica Brennan of Manchester, NH, her cherished sister & brother in-laws and nieces & nephews, many dear friends, and her precious fur babies and grand fur-babies. She was pre-deceased by her mother, Helen (Kazanowski) Sobolewski, father, Stanley Sobolewski, and step-mother, Arline (Stevens) Sobolewski, all of Manchester, NH, as well as her in-laws, Dorothy Brennan and Leo Brennan, of Amherst, NH, and her brother-in-law, Michael Scott Brennan, of Manchester, NH. 

Sandra and her husband Dennis were introduced on a blind date by a mutual friend while he was in the Air Force living at the Air Force Satellite tracking station in Manchester, NH, and it was love at first sight. They were “young and in love” (Dennis was 20 and Sandra was 22)! Shortly thereafter, Dennis got stationed in Germany, and Sandra went to visit him. They quickly got engaged just a few short months later. Sandra often reminisced about going to meet Dennis’s parents for the first time without him, finding it quite intimidating as he was the oldest of six children, with siblings as young as five years old. She cherished and adored all of her in-laws and was immensely grateful to be welcomed with open arms into such a large family, having been an only-child herself. She was especially grateful to her mother-in-law, who always treated her as her own daughter - as Sandra’s own mother had recently passed at a young age. Sandra and Dennis were happily married for 51 years, and often fondly remembered their large wedding in 1973. Held at what was then the Polaski (Polish) Club in Manchester, NH (now the site of the homeless shelter, which always brought a giggle when Sandra and Dennis talked about it), the celebration featured over 400 guests, a lively polka band, an open bar (as her father was a well-known Director of liquor sales in the State), and was graced by several dignitaries, including the Governor of NH, and a NH Congressman, at the time. To this day, the remaining attendees still talk about their unforgettable large Polish wedding!

Hobbies and interests included collecting and decorating dollhouses & miniatures, flowers and gardening/decorating her yard with her daughter, reading, spending time pool-side in her back yard, camping trips and vacations with her family, planning and hosting parties and family events, watching her favorite TV shows and movies with her daughter and husband, shopping with her daughter, spending time with her immediate and extended family, and most of all, being the most amazing mother. But above all, doing and giving for others brought Sandra the most joy.  As such a giving and caring person, Sandra was also a strong advocate for animal rescue. Sandra personally fed, helped, and took in many, many stray cats (and a dog) throughout the years, as well as adopted through and supported animal rescue organizations. Sandra’s daughter has inherited her love of caring for and helping stray animals from her mother. In lieu of flowers, the family believes that Sandra would want to support a small animal rescue organization, and has chosen Pet Tails Rescue in Northwood, NH. Please consider donating to Pet Tails Rescue in Sandra’s memory. Donations to Pet Tails Rescue can be made by check by mailing to PO Box 86 Northwood, NH 03261 or directly through their website at Pettailsrescue.org

Sandra had such a big heart. She is loved and remembered by so many as an extremely giving person, who did so much for everyone around her. She touched so many lives throughout her lifetime, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  With a heart so generous and full of love that it overflowed to everyone around her, Sandra's heart finally needed to rest, leading to her peaceful passing from heart failure. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. “No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart.” (Unknown)

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Granite VNA, all of the various doctors, nurses, LNA’s and staff at CMC Hospital, and the various EMT’s and firefighters who responded to many emergency calls for Sandra, for all of their compassionate care and support over the past several months.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 7th from 4-8pm at The Phaneuf Funeral Home & Crematorium, 250 Coolidge Avenue in Manchester. Additional visitation will be on Saturday, June 8th from 8:30am-10:30am in the funeral home. A funeral service will follow on Saturday at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 166 Pearl Street, Manchester. Interment in Holy Trinity Polish National Cemetery, Goffstown. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend.