Sondra G. Obstein, 91, of Ewing NJ, passed away peacefully at The Greenwood House for the Jewish Aged, on May 14, 2020. Sondra was born on March 5, 1929 in Brooklyn NY to Harry and Lillian Lyons.
In 1971, Sondra moved to New Jersey but she was always a New York girl at heart. Sondra worked as a para-legal and reflexologist but her true passion was helping others. In 2005, Sondra was honored in Washington DC with the Times 2005 Jefferson Award for Public Service. In the address it stated, “Did you ever have someone in your life that you felt represented the essences of goodness? That sums up Sondra.” Sondra was honored as a founding member of Women’s Space and P’nai Or of Princeton. She worked tirelessly to eliminate domestic violence with Project SARAH and other organizations, she spent countless hours comforting pre-mature infants through the Angels Wings Program and was a longtime volunteer for Interfaith Care Givers and Community Without Walls.
This is just a snippet of Sondra’s long list of accomplishments as a care giver to others. It was a rare sighting to see Sondra at home but when she did take time out for herself, she loved to tend to her plants, cook “mishmash,” play scrabble and perform reflexology on everyone’s feet. If you visited Sondra, she would not let you leave until she “worked” on your feet!
Sondra is survived by loving family, friends and an amazing caretaker. Sondra always chose to celebrate life. We ask that you do not weep for her passing but rejoice in the gifts that she left us.
Due to the Covid-19 virus, and gathering restrictions, funeral services will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Greenwood House for the Aged, 53 Walter St, Ewing, NJ 08628 or www.greenwoodhouse.org/giving
Wherever Sondra is, she says goodbye with love and thanks for a good and fulfilled life.
I worked with Sondra when we started Project SARAH. So lovely to work with. So sorry to lose a wonderful woman.
I worked with Sondra through Bayada Home Healthcare giver agency…. she as such an amazing 80 year old then in 2010…. we had our good times and bad times together…. we laughed and cried sometimes together….she loved to share her life story!… she loved planting tomatoes and flowers at her backyard…. can’t forget that rose 🌹 tree at the back of her home in Lawrenceville which always blossomed!…Sondra, May The the good Lord be with you in your journey to eternity!… so long! Till we meet again!… love always!
Sondra was a treasured volunteer and former Board Member when I was Executive Director at Interfaith Caregivers. She had such a positive spirit and loved the work we were doing. She will be remembered with much admiration and gratitude in my heart.
I met Sondra over 40 years ago when I came to the US. We either called each other and/or sent birthday cards to each other over the years. Though we did not speak frequently, we remained friends and whenever we did connect like it was just yesterday. She was my youngest child’s godmother and my mentor. I have just learned of her passing and my family will celebrate her life. So long my good friend. May the Lord continue to cover you.