Sohraya, “Nipa” Neufeld, of West Windsor, NJ passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025.
Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Nipa, was a devoted wife and mother, married to Barry, “Les” Neufeld for 60 years. They met when he was serving in one of the original advisor groups for the US military in Bangkok and Southeast Asia. They originally lived in Schenectady, NY and moved to central NJ to raise their family in 1970.
Nipa focused on raising her sons, Scott & Glenn, while teaching art in the East Windsor school district for 22 years. An amazing cook of jewish foods, her brisket and matzoh ball soup were legendary and enjoyed by everyone. When not doing something for her family she could be found on a long walk in the neighborhood or tending to her garden or her favorite flowers, orchids, which she would put out for all to see every spring.
Outside of family and work, she was a devoted swim parent, the loudest voice at any swim meet, cheering on her boys and all of their teammates. She would do anything for her family and was a fearless and courageous woman. 63 years ago, she got a plane over the objections of her family in Thailand, arrived in the US having no idea what life would be like and proceeded to create, nurture, and love a family she was the heart of.
In recent years, she was a devoted grandmother to Bethany and Ben, trying to keep a secret from their parents and grandfather just how much spending money she was sending them in high school and college. We all knew!
She left us on her own terms, having had good time with her sons and her husband, dying peacefully at Princeton Hospital.
Nipa is survived by her husband of 63 years, Les Neufeld, her sons Scott & Glenn, daughter in law Jeannie, and grandchildren, Bethany and Ben.
Funeral services and burial were held on September 21 at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin, NJ.
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Sohraya-Neufeld