Obituary for Sandra Soons
Sandra Soons of New Hampton NY, died peacefully at home on February 18, 2021 following a long decline due to Parkinson's disease. She was 83. A Nebraska native, Sandy attended Vassar College, majored in zoology and met her future husband just before he started Army service. She and Arthur Soons married in 1959 and together they raised three children and built the business that bears their name.
After a few years of teaching at OCCC, Sandy immersed herself in the farm. She and Art purchased the property from Art’s parents, and shifted the focus to direct-to-consumer retail. She hired and mentored hundreds of students who got their first job at Soons Orchards’ growing market store and spent many fall mornings giving tours to young school children, teaching them all about growing apples. She worked long days at the market (and out in the orchard and fields when needed), and then long evenings at her desk keeping the books. She was always learning, taking classes and adding to her investing knowledge with her favorite show, Wall Street Week (with Jeopardy a close second). She enjoyed a good murder mystery, whether in print or onscreen.
Sandy volunteered and took pride in her charitable contributions to church and community. She was a major supporter of the YMCA of Middletown, where she swam and played racquetball to de-stress. With her market knowledge and accounting skills, she served on the endowment committee for the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, and was treasurer for Orange Environment and Women’s University Club of Middletown, where she also established a scholarship fund for women returning to college. She was active with Rotary Club and also coached her daughter’s softball team for six years (going from zero wins to undefeated, treating the girls to a fair amount of ice cream in the process!).
Sandy was an extraordinarily accomplished woman, but would never boast - or complain - she simply “got things done.” She had a kind and gentle soul, sharing it the same way she did everything -- quietly, calmly, subtly. She will be missed by many, including her loving husband Art, siblings Cecily Frazier of Rhinebeck and Jan Allen of Bellevue, Nebraska, devoted children Jeffrey Soons, Laura (& Scott) Thornton and Sharon Soons all from New Hampton, her beloved grandchildren Julia and Conor Thornton, and nieces and nephews around the country. She was predeceased by her sister Janis Kruse.
Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Women's University Club of Middletown ℅ Maria Ingrassia, 59 Eisenhower Drive Middletown NY 10940.
Read More
After a few years of teaching at OCCC, Sandy immersed herself in the farm. She and Art purchased the property from Art’s parents, and shifted the focus to direct-to-consumer retail. She hired and mentored hundreds of students who got their first job at Soons Orchards’ growing market store and spent many fall mornings giving tours to young school children, teaching them all about growing apples. She worked long days at the market (and out in the orchard and fields when needed), and then long evenings at her desk keeping the books. She was always learning, taking classes and adding to her investing knowledge with her favorite show, Wall Street Week (with Jeopardy a close second). She enjoyed a good murder mystery, whether in print or onscreen.
Sandy volunteered and took pride in her charitable contributions to church and community. She was a major supporter of the YMCA of Middletown, where she swam and played racquetball to de-stress. With her market knowledge and accounting skills, she served on the endowment committee for the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, and was treasurer for Orange Environment and Women’s University Club of Middletown, where she also established a scholarship fund for women returning to college. She was active with Rotary Club and also coached her daughter’s softball team for six years (going from zero wins to undefeated, treating the girls to a fair amount of ice cream in the process!).
Sandy was an extraordinarily accomplished woman, but would never boast - or complain - she simply “got things done.” She had a kind and gentle soul, sharing it the same way she did everything -- quietly, calmly, subtly. She will be missed by many, including her loving husband Art, siblings Cecily Frazier of Rhinebeck and Jan Allen of Bellevue, Nebraska, devoted children Jeffrey Soons, Laura (& Scott) Thornton and Sharon Soons all from New Hampton, her beloved grandchildren Julia and Conor Thornton, and nieces and nephews around the country. She was predeceased by her sister Janis Kruse.
Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Women's University Club of Middletown ℅ Maria Ingrassia, 59 Eisenhower Drive Middletown NY 10940.
To plant a tree in memory of Sandra Soons, visit the Tribute Store.
Memorial Contribution
Women's University Club
℅ Maria Ingrassia
59 Eisenhower Drive
Middletown, NY 10940
59 Eisenhower Drive
Middletown, NY 10940
Loading...