I loved you ever since the first day we met at work. Your laughter, your smile, your sweetness and tad bit of devilishness will always be in my memories of you. I will never forget you and the joy you brought to me and so many others!!

Bruce Rosol (one of the Brunch Bunch)

Chers amis nous pensons bien à vous en cet anniversaire du départ de Sophie. Très amicalement. Bic et Aleth

I loved Sophie and spent K-6th grade with her. My husband, George, also loved spending time with Alex at their home. We both have great memories of the Lheritier family from that time. 
I would like to share Sophie’s beautiful post to our class of ‘81 Essex Fells School group messenger on September 1, 2020. 

“Hey EFS  Class of 1981 - this has been a cuckoo-wackadoo time.  Just wanted to let you know I’ve been thinking about you and hoping you’re finding whatever new/next normal serves you and yours well.  Take good care.   😘. We’ll have an epic reunion some day, when things settle down!  Take good care!  Wash your hands!”

Dear Sophie,
I still remember as the mother of Linda Speer, you and Linda sliding  down our basement door hatch as little children.  At about age 3 or 4 playing house in our back yard.  Playing with our cat,  Using the swing set, coming to Linda's birthday parties, swimming at our lake spot in the summers.  All this while you still lived in Verona as our next door neighbor.   Playing  in the sand box with Linda and your friends in their back yard.  Linda loved visiting you to   play for the day at your new home.  You were always so lovable and sweet. 
We really missed you and your family when you moved to Essex Fells.  
May God keep watch over you,.  You are one in a million. Love Jane 
 


We loved you and we miss you !
 Nous t’espérons heureuse là ou tu es ... 
Prends soin de tous, lourde charge !!!
Gaelle et Guillaume


The world lost someone special.  

Sophie was kind, smiling, supportive, and a wicked smart woman.  Our first year in MBA school we were placed in the same group together for our first group project.  Both of us made sure we were in the same group from then on for the next 4 years.  I don't know if I would have made it through the MBA program without her.  When things got tough, she got tougher.  She also had a way of making things seem fun, and could bring humor into a situation even when we were all working full time and spending 20 hours a week on school.  

When my first child was born, Sophie knitted a blanket for her and delivered it to our house.   My daughter never wanted to be separated from it, it became her comfort item, and when she could talk, she named it "cozy blanket".  That blanket never left her side.  When my son was born 6 years later, my daughter gave it to him.  My son is 6 now and still falls asleep with it.  It is his comfort item too.  That cozy blanket has comforted two of my children when they needed it the most for over 12 years.  I always kind of pictured that Sophie imagined her giving a big hug every time the blanket was used.  That's the kind of person she was.   That blanket will never leave our family.  Give your loved ones a tight hug.  It's a sad day.

Sophie was an amazing woman. I had the opportunity to attend university together with her earning our MBA.  In addition to being dedicated to her studies, she was also a wonder person to have around with her humor, smile, and empathy.  We hung out as a group throughout the program for years afterwards and it was always a joy to converse with her.  

My wife credits her with getting over a really bad patch due to an employer.  Jen was relaying the story of how she was treated at work given the birth of our son and Sophie said “sometimes the best gifts come in the worst package.”  That really hit home with Jen and helped her start to turn the corner to look at it as an opportunity that has lead to a successful private practice.

Sophie is loved and will be missed.  
- Chris Mone


Dear Sophie - I will greatly miss your contagious smile and laughter!
 
I consider myself lucky that I get to count such a sweet and caring person as yourself as my friend! Fondly remember your enthusiasm when coordinating Friday happy hours and meet-ups with the "tribe" after graduation!

My heartfelt condolences to the grieving family. Just 3-4 months back (May 20), we had exchanged messages and Sophie noted she was doing well, albeit sheltering in place (due to the pandemic). It was such a shock now to hear about her passing!

Sophie - Please keep smiling, wherever you are!

-Balu Ambady 
[MBA classmate]

Oh Sophie,  I can picture your smiling face and hear your vibrant laugh.  My heart is breaking, you weren’t supposed to leave this soon.  You’ll continue to be an inspiration to me in how to live my life.   May your soul continue to plug some of the holes in this world.  You are truly missed.

To Sophie’s family, thank you all for sharing her with us. She cried with me after the death of my daughter, and was there as only a good friend can be.  I know your loss is enormous; I can only begin to fathom the depth of the void she has left in your lives.

With Love, Matthew (MBA classmate, and part of the “poop group”; which I am sure was coined by Sophie)

Ma très chère filleule ,
Quelle tristesse de te savoir si brutalement arrachée à l'amour des tiens.
Quel regret de ne t'avoir que si peu côtoyée après ton  envol vers les Amériques.
Que le souvenir de ton cœur généreux et de ton sourire  lumineux  continue d'irriguer tous ceux qui t'ont aimée.

Dear Sophie,
Growing up we spent many a Sunday afternoon together as a result of our dear parents' friendship.  We did not keep in touch as adults but the news of your passing has filled me with sadness and nostalgia for those happy, family filled days during our childhood.  
My thoughts are with Odile and Jacques as well as Laurent, Alex and Isabelle.
With my most sincere condolences,
Louise Adams Mourgues

Dearest Sophie,
We had the great privilege to meet your parents very soon after we moved to New Jersey about 34 years ago. Our two families became immediately very close to each other, sharing so many Easters, Christmas, Thanksgivings, Sunday lunches or dinners in Essex Fells, New Jersey. Even a summer vacation in Maine that you and your family enjoyed so much! So many fun memories for our children Julien and Marie when you were coming to babysit them! 
We had the chance to see you again last year when we visited your parents in Colorado. We will always remember your smile, your laughter, your kindness and generosity.
The Leyssene family will miss you a lot and you will always be in our heart. 
Florence, Bruno, Julien and Marie


Chère Sophie,
Ton départ soudain nous a tous pris par surprise.
Il es toujours trop tôt pour quitter les siens, une famille chaleureuse, généreuse et toujours accueillante.
Je n'oublierai pas ta présence lumineuse, ta gaieté, ton sourire et ton enthousiasme.
Sois assurée que tu restes blottie dans le coeur des tiens et de tous ceux avec lesquels tu as fait un bout de chemin.
Où que tu soies, sois heureuse et en paix.
Monique


I am so sorry to hear the news.

She was certainly the most heartful person, very impressive person.

I will miss her and pray for her soul.

Shinano Nakajima, Hiroh's sister.


Sophie,

Sur cette merveilleuse planète bleue, tu nous as et tu continues à nous inonder de ton sourire. A bientôt là-haut.

Jacques Blanche, Provence, France

Repose en paix Sophie.

Tellement merci pour ton sourire et sa fossette, ton rire généreux qui habillaient avec tant d'élégance et de discrétion:
- gentillesse, amour de la vie , goût pour les arts, générosité, attention aux autres,
- une étoile à qui je n'ai surement pas dit assez que je l'aimais

Sophie : A plus tard. Ailleurs. Autrement.

   I am so surprised to hear the news of Sophie's passing. Sophie, you were a thoughtful host sister when I was with the Lheritier family in 1984-85 as you had had an experience of living in France by yourself.
   The last time I met you was over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2002 when I visited the Lheritiers then living in West Orange, NJ. Even though I do not know you as an aunt of five nieces and nephews, I can imagine that you must have been a good one! You were, of course, a good daughter to "Dad" and "Mom" and a good sister to Laurent, Alex, and Isabelle.
   May you rest in peace.

Hiroh, Nobuko, and the whole Nakajima family

Ma chère Sophie
Tu es partie trop vite  loin de nous ...
Mais je voulais juste dire que nous garderons toujours dans nos coeurs ton beau sourire, ton rire communicatif,ta sensibilité particulière à l'art et à la nature et surtout les bons moments passés ensemble avec les cousins et les cousines à Vireuil ou chez les grands-parents Montée St Laurent ...
Repose en paix ma chère cousine et comme dit le poète Victor Hugo:
" Tu n'es plus là où tu étais mais tu es partout là où je suis."

A sunrise...and a sunset too early...
Althought Ocean is between us, we are with you and keep Sophie deeply in ou hearts!

Très chère famille Lheritier,

Malgré la distance qui nous sépare, nos  pensées et prières vous accompagnent en ce temps de deuil.

Nous vous embrassons fort.

Ana, Guillaume, Lucas et Olivia.

Sophie

Last night I heard the unthinkable news. 
You left -- no time for goodbye. 

But today the sun rises; I feel the warmth of your smile.
I breathe crisp morning air remembering the nourishment of your friendship.
With a distant crow's cry, I recall your sharp wit.
As wind rushes through leaves, I hear echoes of your laughter. 

The Summer of your life passed too quickly,
But vibrant Fall leaves reflect the splendor of your soul.
I remain behind, barren and bereft but hopeful for the promise of rebirth. 

Even so, I am grateful that through my veil of grief 
I still see your beautiful essence displayed 
In the natural world you adored
And in the lives of those touched by your love and kindness. 

Goodbye my dear friend. 
May you rest peacefully until we meet again.

Sophie, filleule souriante discrète mais toujours présente dans les les évènements particuliers....
Ton sourire lumineux éclaire les moments de détente, découvertes et gaieté partagés.
On n t'oublie pas et  je sais que tu ne nous oublies pas non plus....
Namaste

Sophie, words can not describe how I feel. You were simply amazing, always supportive and was never too busy for anyone. I loved our conversations, your sense of humor and your great counsel at work. I will forever hold on to the memories of the stories you told and the jokes you shared. 

To my great friend and colleague, 'Lala Salama' 

To Sophie's family, friends and colleagues, may God continue to bless you and comfort you during this time. 

Sophie, repose en paix
Ton sourire d'enfant reste dans nos coeurs
Elizabeth et Gérald
Renaud et Caroline

Sophie was unforgettable. From the first day I met her I was fortunate enough to not only work with her but call her a friend. I have never met someone so positive and always had a smile on her face. She was pure joy. We spent many conversations, that should have been about work, talking about our love of our dogs.  She always asked first how I was doing instead of going straight to business. Sophie always saw the human in situations. My prayers go out to Sophie's family and friends. 

"She had the gift of stopping time & listening well so that it was easy to hear who we could become & that was the future she held safe for each of us in her great heart & you may ask, what now? & I hope you understand when we speak softly among ourselves & do not answer just yet for our future is no longer the same without her." - Brian Andreas

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know Sophie, and to have been able to call her not only a co-worker but also a friend. 
She was one of the kindest people I've ever met. As I've heard many others say over the past week, she was a joy, a light and an inspiration. 
I've been looking over emails from her this past week and smiling (often through some tears) over her incredible sense of humor and the knack she had of knowing exactly the right thing to say to motivate our team even when things were tough. 
I'll miss her smile, her laugh, her spirit and the way she made everyone feel at ease.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Sophie's family - who she talked about lovingly a great deal - and everyone else she touched during her too-brief time on this Earth.

I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Sophie over the past few years. She was a bright, kind, supportive and motivating person.  
My condolences to the Lheritier family.  

Though I only had the privilege of seeing her in the office much less frequently over the past few years, she was the kind of person who made me realize how much improvement there is room for in my own life. The kind of person who motivates me to keep trying to be better tomorrow than I am today. I will miss her smile, upon first seeing you, that warmed your soul. Au revoir, Sophie.

I did not know Sophie well, but was friends with Alex in grade school. I send love and support to the whole family. May comfort and healing surround you all in the times ahead. 

Dear Sophie, 
Life did separate us,but you  have always been and will be forever in my heart . I've never forgotten nights spent drinking our last nescafe,  talking and laughing togeather. You will always be my sister. Your untimely death leved an hole in my heart .
Dearest mom and dad, Isabelle,Alex,Laurent I've no words to tell you my  sorrow.  I'm close to all off you in the grief.
Karen

I was fortunate to work on a project with Sophie.  Each call dedicated a portion to personal discussion and as we got to know each other I would look forward to those calls.  We had a lot in common, having both lived in New England and in Virginia, and we had similar politics.  In general we had a very compatible chemistry; but, I suspect Sophie made everyone feel that way.

I am so saddened by this news.  I wish for peace for Sophie's family, and healing for those of us who will miss her.

I was blessed to call Sophie both a friend and co-worker.  She was a beautiful soul who exemplified all that makes this world good. Kindness. Respect. Compassion. Grace. Honor. Love.  

Loveliness that beautiful never dies, but passes into other forms of loveliness like sea foam, stardust, flowers and aspens in the fall.  

My heartfelt condolences to the Lheritier family.  May you find comfort in knowing Sophie’s inner light now illuminates the heavens and will shine brightly for eternity. 

Sophie... my dear friend.  Just a couple of weeks ago, we shared how much our friendship meant and how much love we have for each other.  I loved sharing this Path with you, you made it easier with your bright Light - whether we were on a picnic, snowshoeing, cooking, your laughter was always the one that got everyone going.  I can't imagine what your family is going through right now.   I will miss your big heart, beautiful smile and the way you made everyone feel like an old friend.  My sincere condolences to the Lheritier family.  I will miss you forever.  I love you, always, Lucia

Sophie,
Your light shines on but I regret that I cannot thank you for it in person.  Too many years have passed since I’ve seen you ...spoken with you.  But like so many here,  I remember your contagious laughter and bright smile. And I’ll always remember what I learned from you...things I’ve internalized: “the answer to how,  is yes”...and the benefits of wearing a scarf...always  : )

My deepest condolences to the Lheritier family. 

Rest In Peace, Sophie. All the animals you didn’t eat and tried to save surely greeted you at the gates of heaven 🕊  What a commotion it surely made 💜

Sophie was just about the kindest person on campus at UR. We were all so lucky to have had her in our lives. Her glowing, peaceful light will always shine bright. 

So sorry to hear.  Sophie and I worked together a long time ago, but also shared a friendship. I’ll remember times we went apple picking and snow shoeing, but most of all I’ll remember Sophie’s laugh.

Sophie was all of our bright, shiny star. She was always happy, always there to help, always caring. I worked with Sophie for many years in many capacities and always enjoyed our friendship. We shared a great common ground of love for animals. She will be greatly missed because she made our lives better. 

Wishing you heart felt condolences Lheritier family and close friends in your time of loss. May you find peace in your heart knowing that Sophie has found a new set of wings.



Sophie you had the kindest and biggest heart. The memories of our friendship from hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, cooking, and spending holidays together are filled with the sound of your laugh, your smile, and love. I will miss you forever Sophie.

Sending my condolences and love to the Lheritier family, and everyone grieving from Sophie's passing.

I am still in shock that this world has lost such a wonderful person way too early. Sophie and I were roommates sophomore year at U of R and she always brightened any room she was in.  She had the sweetest smile and dimples!!!  Sophie you will be missed.  Extending prayers of peace to her family and friends   

Sophie was pure heart. It was a blessing to know her and call her friend. Some years ago my family and I were on a walk and we hear, “Hey cute Matthews family!” She was at her sister’s house a few streets away from us. We were recently making a plan to have distanced dinner and it hurts my heart so much that it will never happen. Spreading love and light will be her legacy and how we will honor her sweet spirit. ❤️

Sophie was a beautiful person inside and out.  I worked closely with her for a few years and enjoyed getting to know her.  She was always so positive and had a wonderful sense of humor.  I loved hearing her stories about France and fondue for Thanksgiving and admired her charitable heart.  I am glad I was able to see her a year ago during her work trip to Phoenix.  The world was a better place with Sophie in it.  I hope we can all honor Sophie by putting a little more love into this world.  As her profile pic says, "amplify love, dissipate hate".  We will miss you my friend.  

I'm so saddened to hear of Sophie's passing. May her memory, her life, her vibrancy be of comfort to all of you. I worked with Sophie for a short time, and during that time I enjoyed her humor and warmth. I'm so very sorry. 

I so enjoyed the years I shared with Sophie at U of R.  She was a gentle soul with a wry sense of humor.   All my memories of Sophie are filled with warmth and smiles.  My heart goes out to those closest to Sophie.  This is a great loss.

When  I was looking for pictures of us over our 15 year friendship, every single one had us smiling and laughing; because that’s what Sophie brought out in me, and others, smiles and laughter.  About 11 years ago, she offered to babysit my 3 year old and 7 month old so that my husband could take me to dinner for my birthday.  Well, a day before my cat from college passed away, leaving me with an inconsolable 3 year old.  Sophie to the rescue, she showed up with cookie making supplies and they made cat cookies all night with no tears.  When my brother was dying, her FB profile pic showed her support for and my family.  This is who Sophie was, and I can’t believe she’s gone.   The world is a much dimmer place without her positivity and light.  

I went to University of Richmond with Sophie and she was a wonderful person. Great sense of humor and dry wit, she was very unique  and could always bring a smile to everyone's faces around her. I was so sad to hear of her passing, she was taken far too soon. My thoughts and prayers to her family.

Sophie was vibrant, happy, funny and caring person, who loved her family more than anything.  I was blessed to have her as a friend.  Her passing is heart breaking.  I will miss Sophie's smiling, happy face. 

I honestly cannot think of a negative memory of knowing or being around Sophie. She was one of the most wonderfully kind people I’ve ever met. A wonderful friend, and all around good person. On top of that she was great at her work. My heart breaks to not have her in the world.  

I worked with Sophie for years and everyone that had the opportunity to work with her loved her.  She was so smart and gracious with her time.  And funny of course.  She touched co-workers all over the country including us down here in Texas.  She will be deeply missed.

To Sophie's Parents, Sister and extended family:

Sophie was a light to so many people, including myself.  She was a shining example of kindness and love, and her sense of humor made so many of us smile during meetings. I have been lucky enough to work with her for over a decade, and the world is darker today because her light has been extinguished. My love and prayers are with you all.

Wendy G.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Sophie Emmanuelle Lheritier

25 décembre 1968 – 15 septembre 2020

Ahlberg Funeral Chapel

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