Sandy Zeeb, age 89, of Chelsea, MI, passed from this life Monday, October 27, 2025 at home after a short illness.
She was born January 2, 1936, in Shinnston, West Virginia, a “coal miner’s daughter” of the late Joseph and Susan (Gaydas) Orosz. She was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. She followed Christ’s teachings in word and deed. She loved her family and neighbors and helped those less fortunate.
On October 6, 1956, Sandy married Walter “Walt” Zeeb at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. When not working, which wasn’t often, Sandy and Walt were active in their younger days with dancing and playing cards with Walt’s “Sodbuster” friends on Saturday nights. Walt passed away in 2007 at 74 years of age.
Sandy was not only a mother, but she was also a businesswoman in a time when there were so few. She was part of a generation of women who opened doors for future generations of women to have the opportunity to choose business careers.
Sandy and Walt owned and operated the Chelsea Greenhouse for 42 years from 1960 to 2002. They were very customer orientated and took great care of their customers. They were active participants in the Chelsea community over the years. They contributed much to the growth of the Chelsea community during that time. Walt was a longtime member of Chelsea Fair Board and Chelsea Kiwanis Club. Sandy and Walt were Chelsea’s Citizens of the year in 2001. They shared a lifetime of achievement and contributions and dedicated service to the community they loved. Gloria Mitchell of the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home was one of many who nominated the Zeebs for the award in 2001 and said, “It is difficult to find out exactly what all they have done for our community, because they do it lovingly and quietly.”
In addition to managing the Chelsea Greenhouse, Sandy was a member of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s. Sandy and Walt donated flowers for many community events. They also donated the flowers for the altar at St. Mary for weekly services when they operated the greenhouse.
Walt was a counselor for Cassidy Lake Technical School, United Way Chairman, and member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as the American Legion and the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club. Sandy and Walt received many awards from organizations and the community for outstanding service. They donated substantial property to the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club. Sandy and Walt received a State of Michigan House of Representatives certificate to honor them for their outstanding service and dedication to the Chelsea Senior Center. They also were honored by Faith in Action with the Humanitarian of the Year award for their many years of service to the community. Sandy and Walt were passionate supporters of the St. Louis Center.
Mrs. Zeeb is survived by her only daughter, Alisa Diane Drumb and her husband, Richard Drumb; her sister, Veronica “Ronnie” Orosz of Shinnston, West Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walt Zeeb; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Therese Orosz; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Andrew Gombash; sister and brother-in-law, Annie and James Edwards; and also a few pets over the years that she dearly loved.
The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 5-7 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., with V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chelsea.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis Center in Chelsea, the Chelsea Senior Center, Faith in Action, or an animal shelter of one’s choice.
God give us peace, love, and compassion to ease the suffering of others and not contribute to their pain.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
