Sandra Jean Najera Smith

Sandra Jean Najera-Smith, 82, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in West Orange, NJ. Born in Rochester, NY, Sandra attended UCLA to pursue a career in nursing and later attended the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center for Anesthesiology and completed her internship in 1970.

In 1978 Sandra moved to Jamaica where she met the love of her life Alvin Smith. Together the two started several small businesses there including a clothing line, AS Originals, consisting of day-to-night fashions and swimwear. They remained in Jamaica until they moved to West Orange, NJ in 1998 to settle down in their golden years.

Once in New Jersey, Sandra involved herself in many passions from cooking, crocheting, painting and most importantly music. In 2000 Sandra sought to share her love of music by starting a piano school for young learners all the way through adolescence with her program "Music in your Life". She taught upwards of 20 years, ultimately retiring with the pandemic in 2020. Sandra was very involved within her community in which she lived Northfield Townhouses Complex. She considered many of her neighbors to be friends and family, often sharing meals, stories, medical advice when needed, and friendly hand when she could. The community she leaves behind will miss her dearly.

Sandra was predeceased by her dear husband, Alvin Boncroft Smith, her sister Berdie Patricia Bass Hack, and brother-in-law, Hall Hack. She is survived by her son, Mark S. Najera and his wife Lucy, her daughter Noelle Christina Smith Incognito and her husband Frank, her son David Najera and his wife Allice, and her son Christian Najera. She also leaves her adoring grandchildren Jonathan Najera, Emma, Zoe, and Michael Incognito, Ashley, Jamie, Jennifer, Brandon, and Harley Najera, as well as her great-grandchildren, Luna, Willow, Javier, Isabelle, Joaquin, Syrus, Acelin and Odiyin.

We honor the love and passion Sandra demonstrated for all animals by acknowledging her beautiful Siamese, cats, Cleopatra, and Coco, who predeceased her. They brought her much comfort and happiness in her life.

A Celebration of Life Service for Sandra and Alvin will be held on Saturday, June 22 at 3PM at The Life Christian Science Church 747 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052, all are welcome.

Memorial Contributions on behalf of Alvin and Sandra Smith-Najera can be made to Mayor's Sunshine Fund, 66 Main Street, Room 207, West Orange, NJ. (Checks may be made payable to :The Mayor's Sunshine Fund: Attention Laura Van Dyke, in memory of the Najera-Smith Family or to the Holy Trinity West Orange Food Pantry 315 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052 (see link below) or checks may be made payable to Holy Trinity West Orange Food Pantry, Attention Cynthia Cummings, in memory of the Najera-Smith Family.