Sonja Claire (Tobler) Zandri, 75, of Brookfield, wife of the late Harry Zandri, died April 9 at Danbury Hospital. She was born in Zurich, Switzerland, August 16, 1940, a daughter of the late Claire (Nodari) and Rudolph Tobler.

Three children, Denise Grenier, and her husband Paul, of Newtown, Heidi Zandri of Danbury, and Michael Zandri, and his wife Dianna, of Maine; two grandsons, Logan and Hunter of Maine, who were her pride and joy; two brothers, Ruedi and Kurt Tobler; and several nieces and a nephew survive Mrs Zandri.

She loved the outdoors, including skiing and competitive swimming. After spending time as a nanny in England she moved to the United States in the 1960s. She was a nanny in Ridgefield, when she met her husband at Ridgefield's famous Squash's. They married in 1965 and three children followed. They built a home for their family in Danbury, which was completed in 1969.

Mrs Zandri ran a daycare from her home for many years. After that, she taught swimming lessons, also from her home. To this day, the family still has people tell them, "Your mom taught me how to swim."

She then started working nights at Brookside Rest Home and bought it, about one year later. Mrs Zandri was the owner-operator of what is now known as Brookside Home for 41 years. During her time as owner-operator of Brookside Home, she was an intricate part of CARCH, an association for residential care homes to improve state laws for RCHs in Connecticut. She was president many times, and remained on the board, which included many trips to the state Capitol in her wheelchair. She never let anything slow her down.

She was also a volunteer coach for both the Danbury YMCA and Ridgewood Country Club swim teams for many years, where her children also swam competitively. She truly loved working with children to help shape their lives with encouragement and respect.

She also loved to travel with family, with friends, and alone. She would drive everywhere. She would say she was going for a ride and call from Vermont at a little roadside business she found quaint. She mostly loved foliage trips.

The family would like to thank Dr Cantu, Dr Mirza, and the nurses and staff at Danbury Hospital Critical Care Unit who provided her with the excellent care and concern she so greatly deserved during her last weeks.

Friends will be received Thursday, April 14, from 6 to 8 pm, at Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Avenue, Danbury. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm, in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ann's Place at www.annsplace.org and the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org/donate.