Lois Mary Sadowski

Lois Mary (Kirchgessner) Sadowski, 75 of Cedar Knolls, passed away on October 27, 2024. Lois was born on December 23, 1948, in Newark, NJ, the first-born child to her two loving and proud parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Mary Kirchgessner. Lois was raised in Irvington, NJ, surrounded by a large family including her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and two younger brothers.

Lois attended Chancellor Avenue School for K-8th grade. She loved art, played piano, enjoyed visits to nearby Olympic Park, attended many school social events and dances, and shared wonderful memories with family and neighborhood friends.

Lois demonstrated great independence and responsibility from a very early age. She walked herself to and from elementary school each day, starting in kindergarten. She served as a summer counselor at Mt. Vernon and Irvington day camps, and also worked in the music/records section at Valley Fair department store in high school.

She was a proud 1966 graduate of Irvington High School. Driven to pursue her teaching dream, Lois received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Newark State College in 1970. That same year, she returned to her hometown to begin her career teaching fourth grade at Augusta Street School. Lois later received her master’s degree from Seton Hall University in 1979, and three six-year level certificates at Kean College, all while working and raising her family.

Lois enjoyed a remarkable and accomplished 39-year career as a devoted public school teacher and guidance counselor in the Irvington School District, where she proudly inspired and helped students, grades K-8, and their families. She worked tirelessly in service of children, and her former students readily share their gratitude and positive stories from their time with her. Lois also served as a school testing coordinator and a representative for Irvington Education Association at Madison Avenue School. Her pride for her hometown community and its residents remained strong throughout her life. Lois was also very outgoing, and loved planning and attending all-school and class reunions, for the benefit of many Irvington alumni.

Lois was a beautiful woman, inside and out, who lit up every room she entered. She remained a hopeful romantic who always enjoyed a great love story, both on and off the screen of the soap operas, shows and movies she loved.

Lois made lifelong friends and discovered love within the teaching community, with a first marriage to fellow teacher Ronald Nolan, with whom she had her first-born daughter, Jennifer Nolan.

Lois later met guidance counselor, Lambert William Sadowski while teaching at Grove Street School. Lambert would visit Lois’ third-floor classroom, and soon entered her heart forever when they married in 1981. They had two daughters together, Jessica and Lauren, and then united their family with three girls, who they loved unconditionally.

Nothing made Lois happier than being with her family. Lois enriched the lives of everyone who knew her, but her family always remained her priority and focus. She took incredible care of her parents, husband, children and grandchildren, and her greatest memories were of the wonderful days spent and trips taken together.

As a young girl, Lois dreamed of one day having her own place at the beach. She made that dream a reality by eventually owning a shore house where she, her family and her dog spent many wonderful summers together. She loved relaxing on Long Beach Island, where she often looked for dolphins. She also loved planning family trips, including many magical Disney vacations, cruises and tropical getaways.

Throughout her life, Lois’ resilience and strength were her saving graces. A dedicated parishioner at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church in Cedar Knolls, Lois’ faith comforted her and helped her to find peace and smile through difficult times. She was an incredible matriarch who created many unforgettable experiences for her family whom she cared so deeply for. She was very generous, thoughtful, and beloved by her close friends and relatives.

She hosted holidays, gatherings, weddings and baby showers, and embodied a great sense of humor and celebratory spirit wherever she went. She also captured decades of memories by building an amazing library of home videos and photos.

After retiring from education in 2009, Lois took on her next greatest role as grandmother. She was the proudest, most entertaining and active grandmother to her eight “grands”, as she called them, and made efforts to build special relationships with each of them. Her infectious energy, laughter, praise, and love will be remembered forever.

She always encouraged her children and grandchildren to follow their passions and dreams, she took great pride and joy in their talents, and made every day together count.

Lois is survived by her three daughters: Jennifer Mary Nolan, Jessica Mary Tar (and son-in-law Thomas Tar), Lauren Mary Sadowski Collins (and son-in-law David W. Collins), her eight grandchildren: Reilly Jessica Baske, Kalista Lois Tar, Laila Jessica Tar, Isabella Mary Tar, Ben Lambert Collins, Aurora Elizabeth Tar, Audrey Grace Collins, and Kayla Rose Tar, and her two brothers, Richard J. Kirchgessner and Edward M. Kirchgessner. She is predeceased by her loving husband Lambert William Sadowski of 29 years (2010), her mother Mary Covello Kirchgessner (2011), her father Richard E. Kirchgessner (2004).