Sonja Heinze Coryat

passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021, in Conway.

She was born on September 30, 1930 in Queens, New York, the daughter of Gustav and Ernestine

(Clausen) Heinze.

A Korean War Veteran, “Sunny,” as she was affectionately known, served in the US Air Force as a Radio

Mechanic and later a Public Relations Officer in the Pentagon.

A gifted writer, Sonja wrote a syndicated consumer-interest column, “The Curious Shopper,” for King

Features from 1983–2000, which appeared in over 200 newspapers nationwide. Her driving force in

later years was to have her memoir, Sunny: Ward of the State, read by every person possible. She gave a

copy to everyone she met. She and her son Karl searched out roadside Little Free Libraries and placed

her book in many of them.

An animal lover, Sunny was fiercely independent. She was artistic, painting and working in pastels. She

also loved to cook and had an eclectic taste in music and art. Of all her accomplishments, she was most

proud of raising five strong, smart children.

She is survived by her daughter Kim Coryat of Conway, Arkansas; her son John Coryat of Memphis,

Tennessee; her daughter Laura Coryat of Rhinebeck, New York; her son Jim Coryat of Mora, New

Mexico; and her son Karl Coryat of Conway, Arkansas; grandchildren Francesca Harris of West Boylston,

Massachusetts, and Catherine Coryat of Memphis, Tennessee; several great grandchildren; her brother,

Gustav Heinze of Tiburon, California; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her faithful dog, Jackie.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sisters Margaret Heinze and Wallie Heinze Cower Romig; her

ex-husband Henry G. Coryat Jr. of Rhinebeck, New York; her beloved dog, Tut, and many other pets.

A graveside memorial service with military honors will take place at the Glenwood Cemetery in

Oneonta.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sunny’s memory are asked to be made to Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury,

Vermont (www.dogmt.com), Super Heroes In Ripped Jeans in Oneonta, New York (www.superheroesirj.org), or to an animal-welfare organization of your choice.

To leave a condolence for the family online, please visit www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by the Lester R Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.