Jacqueline Szczepankowski died on March 11 at her home in Wainscott. She had been in declining health for the past two years. She was 85.
Born on December 5, 1929, to Raymond Sandford and Emma Steifle Sandford, Jackie, as she was known to family and friends, grew up in Bridgehampton where her roots ran deep. She was very proud of her family history. Her ancestor, Ezekiel Sandford, built the original bridge in 1686 that connects Bridge Lane to Sagg Road, giving Bridgehampton its name. Her father worked at the Bridgehampton National Bank during its inaugural year in 1910 to earn tuition to attend Cornell University, from which he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering.
Ms. Szczepankowski was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Bridgehampton, where she sang in the choir. Music was her lifelong passion. She learned to play the piano and organ at church and loved to listen to music from the swing era, especially Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.” Her other great interests were golf, bowling and cheering on her beloved Red Sox.
After graduating from the Bridgehampton School in 1947, she attended the Houston Business School. In 1951, she met George Szczepankowski, a local potato farmer, while working at The Candy Kitchen in Bridgehampton. The two married on May 11, 1952, and moved to the family farm on Hollow Road, Wainscott, where they lived for 50 years.
After her husband retired from farming, the two traveled to many countries in Europe and went on cruises as far away as Alaska. After her husband’s death in 2002, Ms. Szczepankowski continued to travel, making it all the way to Antarctica.
Ms. Szczepankowski is survived by her three children, Joyce Babcock of East Hampton, Carol Magee and husband Michael of Southampton, and David Szczepankowski and wife Susan of North Carolina. In addition she is survived by five grandchildren, Katie, Meghan and Matthew Magee, Ben and Laura Babcock, Christopher Babcock; and one great-grandchild, Flynn Babcock.
on Apr 3, 2015