Marjorie S. Sonderling

Marjorie Serralles Sonderling, born in Mexico City on May 21, 1934, passed away peacefully at the age of 91, at her Bal Harbour home on December 14, 2025.

For her entire adult life, Marjorie was the exemplar of elegance and a multi-cultural icon. As a young woman, she became the first Director of Public Relations for the Mexican Institute of Fine Arts, and was a writer for major Mexican publications…her beats were the philharmonic, opera and ballet seasons. Additionally, she served as the President of the Mexican Red Cross.

Shortly after her marriage to Juan E. Serralles III, the family moved to Miami and raised their four children, all of whom survive her.

In her second and forever home, Marjorie continued in the forefront of promoting Miami’s civic and cultural interests as Chief of Protocol for the City of Miami. In this capacity, she helped lay the groundwork for increasing Miami’s early status as an international city. Thereafter, as a public relations consultant, she continued to promote the city and its growing economy.

Later, Marjorie married the broadcasting executive Egmont Sonderling, whose empire encompassed radio stations and movie theaters.Together, they provided community, philanthropic and medical research leadership, primarily at the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged (now Miami Jewish Health) and a host of other institutions. Weaving extensive travel into their lives, Marjorie and Egmont continued as paragons in their expansive social circle.

After Egmont’s passing in 1997, and until Alzheimer’s Disease began to take its toll on this dynamic woman, Marjorie was the devoted companion of Albert Zanger.

The last 14 years that Marjorie valiantly battled Alzheimer’s noted the cascading deficits of age and disease.

Left to mourn and treasure her memory are her four children: Marjorie Serralles-Russell (Terence L. Russell), Annik Wolf (Michael J. Wolf), Juan E. Serralles IV (Rita Serralles) and Maryann Serralles Alonso (Mark J. Alonso); her eight grandchildren Morgan Wolf, Juan E. Serralles V, Myles Wolf, Arden Wolf, Gabriella S. Russell, Julianna M. Alonso, Isabella Serralles and Spencer S. Russell; and, her many friends and admirers.

Details for her services include:

Funeral Home

Thursday, December 18th; 6-8pm

Caballero Rivero Funeral Home

3344 SW 8th St. Miami 33135

Service & Entombment

Friday, December 19th; 10:30am

Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Cemetery

3260 SW 8th St. Miami 33135