Sandra (Howard) Gabor

Sandra Howard Gabor, 78, died on Saturday, September 21 at the SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Health Care in Pittsboro due to complications from a head injury sustained at her home on August 15. She was surrounded by family.

Sandra was born in Pittsboro on February 6, 1941. The daughter of Frank Howard and Edith Ward Howard, she graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1959 and received a BA from UNC Chapel Hill in English Literature in 1963. She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved brother Gene Howard. Sandra is survived by her loving husband Robert, daughter Nicole, stepson Robert Gabor, Jr., sister’s in-law Marie Howard, Elinore Gabor Melle and Carolyn Gabor, aunt Ernestine Tew, 4 nieces and nephews and dear friend Sue Watson.

Her early years as a customer service representative at Ohio Bell prepared Sandy well for the challenge of managing the customer relations and inside sales departments at a growing electronics connector company AP Products in Painesville, Ohio, owned in part by her husband. Sandy joined the company in 1972 and was a major contributor to establishing a nationwide sales distribution network as well as to their overall growth and success. In 1978 the company was named Manufacturer of the Year at the National Electronic Distribution Show in Las Vegas.

Sandy was a devoted member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Apex. She loved singing in the choir, reading, writing short stories, solving crossword puzzles, gardening and making new friends. She was an active supporter of Chatham Habitat for Humanity and co-founded the Habitat ReStores in Pittsboro with her husband. In 1987 Sandy and Bob competed in the 4000-mile Great American Race, driving a 1929 Packard from San Diego, CA to Orlando, FL.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, September 28 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church at 724 Beaver Creek Road in Apex, with Pastor Patrick Jones officiating. Immediately following will be visitation and a luncheon in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ebenezer United Methodist Church Music Fund, or the SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Health Care in Pittsboro.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Cremation is honored to serve the Gabor family.