Obituary of Candace Wisnieski

Candace (Candy) C. Wisnieski, 66, beloved wife of Anthony M. Wisnieski and loving mother of George, 33, and Peter, 28, passed away on April 26, 2013. A long time resident of Upper Montclair, Candace was born in Boston, MA, the eldest daughter of the late Dr. George and Jane Cushman. She graduated from Middlebury College and taught English and Theater in Southbury, Connecticut. Living in Canada and the UK after her marriage, she and her husband developed a lifelong passion for sailing, most recently out of Robbins Reef Yacht Club in Bayonne, N.J. Candace settled in Upper Montclair in the early 80s, where she taught English at Immaculate Conception High School coached youth soccer and served as Co-President of the Montclair PTA. A lifetime lover of dogs, especially collies, Candy was a member of the Board of the Collie Club of Northern New Jersey where she also served as Specialty Chair, Trophy Chair as well as Newsletter Editor. She was a recognized breeder and trainer of championship collies and therapy dogs. Candy was a Breed Education Member/Mentor for the Collie Club of America, Corporator and volunteer for the Gathering of the Collie Health Foundation, and a member of the Ramapo Kennel Club. She is the co-creator of the Collie Club of America's Shining Star Program awarded to outstanding dogs for therapy work and heroism. She was the author of Collie of the Family Dog, Parent to Parent, along with other numerous articles, essays and children's stories. Candy Wisnieski was cherished by those who knew her for her kindness of heart, sweeping intelligence, encyclopedic knowledge, and subtle sense of humor. Besides her husband and sons, Candace is survived by a granddaughter, Genevieve, and her three sisters; Betsey Hughes of Lexington, MA, Anne Schwaikert of Woodbury, CT, and Emily Belanger of Ann Arbor, MI. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Collie Health Foundation (www.colliehealth.org) or to the Collie Rescue of Northern New Jersey (c/o Karen Hahn 119 Edward Drive Ringwood, NJ 07456).