Nancy Sondag

Nancy  Sondag, 74, passed away on the 1st of January 2024, in Manhattan, NY. She was born on July 1st, 1949 in Red Bud, IL, the daughter of Louis S. Sondag, Sr. and Mary Ann (nee Lorenz) Sondag.

    Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Jay Ross.

She is survived by her husband, Tom Thomas, her step-son, Craig Thomas, and his wife, Rebecca, and step-grandchildren Elliot, and Celia. 

    Nancy is also survived by her ten siblings: John Sondag (MN), Sally Ross (IN), Louis Jr. (Sally Piernick)(OR), Fran Sondag (OR), Andrew Sondag (Evelyn Sue) (IL), Mary Sondag Wong (Ken) OR,

Rick Sondag (Julie) (OK), Robbie Sondag (Joy)(IN), Tony Sondag (OR), Greg Sondag (Cindy)(IL). She is survived by her Aunt Mildred Homan, her 25 nieces and nephew and her cousins.

    Nancy was a resident of Valmeyer, IL until graduating from Valmeyer High School.  She attended SIU-Carbondale and graduated with a degree in Education. From there she moved to NYC and began her career in the performing arts.

            During the AIDS epidemic - Nancy used her talent to co-found a non-profit organization called “Hearts and Voices”.  This organization started with 5 volunteers in her apartment and ended up with 1000 performers putting on shows for hospitalized AIDS patients throughout New York City. 

            As Nancy continued using the arts to heal she became a certified Drama Therapist, specializing with dementia and Alzheimer patients.  She paved a new path, training and mentoring others to work with this population.

            Nancy was a member of the Church of the Epiphany in NYC where she served on the Board of Trustees, taught Catechism to the children, and introduced the staff to biblio-therapy.  

Nancy was loved by so many and she gave love and compassion to all.  She will never be forgotten.

Donations made in Nancy’s honor can be made to the Alzheimer Association.

There will be a memorial Mass in Nancy’s honor at St. Peter and Paul’s Church on Friday, March 22nd at 10:00 a.m. St. Peter and Paul Church is located at 204 W. Mill St. Waterloo.  There will be a burial blessing at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery after the mass.