Louise Halka-Vander Sande, 93, long-time Clifton resident, passed away of natural causes on November 20, 2020. Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Franciszek Halka and Maria Serafin, she was the sixth of seven children and the only girl. Her family left Johnstown during the Great Depression and returned to live in Passaic, New Jersey in 1931. She attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and Passaic Junior and Senior High Schools, graduating in 1945. She married Frank Vander Sande of Garfield, New Jersey in 1952 at St Joseph's Church in Passaic. After a year of being stationed in Bermuda during the Korean War, during which time the couple had their firstborn child, and living the following year in Wallington, New Jersey, they settled in their permanent home on Martin Avenue in Clifton which she kept until 2018. Her husband "Van" predeceased her in 1977. She is survived by her son Gary, daughter-in-law Liz, son Dayle, and adoptive son Anthony, grandson Gary, Jr., granddaughter Patricia and grandson-in-law Dan, and great-grandchildren Jonathan and Adam.

Louise worked as a secretary at Okonite Company (Passaic), Flinkote Company (Passaic), and later nearly three decades for the private offices of Dr. Donald Green (Clifton) and Dr. Paul Casano (Clifton). She was a long-time member of the Athenia Veterans Auxiliary and remained active in Polonia, marching many times in the Pulaski Day Parade up Fifth Avenue and assisted the Aria Chorus of Wallington, for which Dayle was conductor. After suffering a severe stroke in 2011, which left her paralyzed on her left side, she relocated to New York City to be near Dayle. Now, nine years later, she died peacefully in her bed in her apartment there with her beloved aide Jeanette Hippolyte by her side.

Louise leaves behind a legacy of perpetual joy and humor. With her famously sharp wit she could put anyone at ease and reduce a crowd to gales of laughter. She had a heart of gold and was always ready to assist anyone however she could with deep compassion for the needy. She loved animals fervently, having a number of dogs, parakeets, and parrots (most of which she named "Sande") throughout her long life. She took immense pride and pleasure from the shore home she and Van bought in 1966--her "Shangri-la." She had a natural artistic talent for drawing and painting and became an accomplished hobbyist working in the medium of oils. After relocating to Manhattan, she was embraced by the neighborhood community and became active in local political and preservation causes despite being confined to a wheelchair. She also enjoyed her time there frequently attending classical music concerts, theater, and film showings. She could be seen chatting with her neighbors on the sidewalks or in Central Park or Riverside Park nearly every day.

"Auntie Lou" was everyone's "favorite aunt", which was often true even for people to whom she was not related, and she will be missed by everyone who ever interacted with her.

Funeral Monday 8:45 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, and 10 AM at St. John Kanty RC Church, Clifton. Cremation, East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton. Visiting Sunday 2-6 PM at the funeral home.