Lee Bienkowski

Lee Bienkowski, 62, of St. Augustine, FL, died on December 29, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer. Lee, born in Boston, grew up in Princeton and graduated from Bryn Mawr College — but her true  love was always the South. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky where she became a lifelong supporter of the Volunteers and Wildcats.

With her academic credentials, Lee entered the world of environmental consulting, centered in South Carolina and Florida, seeking to restore development-impacted sites to their natural state.

To those who knew her, Lee seemed to embody strength — physically, mentally, emotionally, and vocally. She also had strong beliefs and strong interests: from swords to canons, cats to horses, writing to drawing, tiki to reenacting the Revolutionary War, beach combing to global adventure travel. Lee embraced them all fearlessly and with a child-like enthusiasm.

She certainly believed in living life to the fullest. While Lee’s life was tragically cut short, she is one of the very few who pursues every interest with everything she had, squeezing every last drop of experience from her latest interest, and then sharing her knowledge generously and without judgement. Over decades, and across her wide range of family and friends, Lee never missed sending a birthday card.

Lee was predeceased by her beloved father, George, and is survived by her husband, Richard Coyle; mother, Cindy Clark; brothers Jay, Drew, and Mark; Aunt Dix; and seven nieces and nephews. She is greatly missed.

Those who would like to contribute to her memory may send donations to the Sierra Club and to the Society of Concerned Scientists.

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Joseph Sands Wandelt

Joseph Sands Wandelt of Princeton, 72, passed away on December 14, 2022. He was born March 3, 1950 to Suzette and Fred Wandelt, who also rest in Princeton, and is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Wendy, and his beloved daughter, Whitney.

Known as “Sandy” to his loved ones and coworkers, Sandy served the greater Princeton and Philadelphia areas. He and Wendy were the Vice President and President respectively of the family’s own company, Gipsy Horse — a well-known retailer that expanded throughout the region and made them a strong presence in the community. Sandy was also a VP at Corestates and Sun National banks, as well as a senior executive for Nickle Electric in Delaware.

Sandy was a very active member of the Big Brothers community as well as participating in executive coaching. He helped several families during his time with Big Brothers. He is fondly remembered by those he coached in helping end toxic cultures within their corporate environments. 

Sandy’s daughter, Whitney, remembers him as a man of wit, humor, intelligence, and compassion; revered for his empathy, he was a man committed to guiding others in the right direction. 

In lieu of flowers and cards, please make a donation in his name to the Dementia Society of America.