Sondra M Reid

SONDRA MANLEY REID entered eternal rest on December 23 with her husband at her side. Born in Dighton, MA, Sondra was the daughter of Raymond F. Manley and Barbara (Hunt) Manley. Her youth was lived in Manchester CN and Swansea, MA. Following graduation from Joseph Case High School in Swansea she worked in the office of McQuirr’s Department Store. She married Richard Cox and became the mother of two beautiful daughters, Cheryl Lynn and Robin Elizabeth.

Sondra was active in community service, working with the Girl Scouts and serving on the boards of the YMCA, a local hospital, Freedom from Drugs and the Jaycee-ettes. She enjoyed entertaining and planning meals as well as details for special events. In 1977 she went back to school and in 1980 graduated with honors from the Culinary Arts department of Johnson & Wales University. In that same year she married her husband Richard and became the loving step mother to Laura, Matthew, Andrew and Bartholomew.

As a professional chef, Sondra worked in several commercial kitchens and championed the professional development of persons with limited financial resources. She assisted in the establishment of two “meals on wheels” programs in two different urban settings. She finished her professional career serving as “Food Service Manager” at Saint Monica’s Nursing Home in Boston, where she received recognition for preparing meals that “taste just like my mother’s”.

An achievement in which Sondra took great satisfaction, though seldom called to others attention, was helping to nurture Romel Joseph, a blind Haitian violinist, who dreamed of returning to Haiti to teach music to poor children, because “music brings so much joy and will enrich their souls.” While here to study at Perkins School for the Blind, Romel lived in Richard and Sondra’s home. Their relationship grew over many cups of tea. Sondra assisted Romel to obtain, and complete an application for a Fulbright Scholarship. He received that scholarship and earned a Master’s degree at Julliard. He returned to Haiti and built his school. At a benefit concert to raise funds to rebuild the school, following the big earthquake, on hearing Sondra’s voice declared, “this is my Boston mother.” She had always regarded him as a foster son.

Sondra was a wonderful partner and helpmate to her husband Richard, who is an Episcopal Priest. She kept him grounded in the everyday world around them. She help establish three more meals programs: a weekly dinner that continues today after 31 years; a breakfast club in a local school where five percent of the children arrived without having a breakfast; and she taught a group of sorority and fraternity students to cook in larger amounts to feed 32 families living with AIDS. She maintained a loving and hospitable home, where a guest was always welcome and there was always a place at the table.

In the past twenty years, Sondra’s ministries were the care and nurture of her family; she volunteered with the MA Commission for the Blind; tutored and encouraged children of immigrant families to pursue their education and to strive to become their very best; and preparing meals for neighbors and friends, who were ill or in need of respite.

Sondra and Richard moved to Stuart in November of 2019. They are members of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Port Salerno, where she developed several very warm friendships. She was a remarkable woman who will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by many. A life faithfully and honorably lived.

A service commending her to God’s keeping was held at Aycock Funeral Home, Young and Prill Chapel on December 26. A Celebration of her Life will take place at the Church of Our Saviour in Somerset, MA on April.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Friends of Music Education for Haiti, 2817 NW 168th Terrace, Miami Gardens. FL 33056. This tax exempt foundation supports the New Victoria School in Port a Prince, Haiti, which Romel established and is now run by his Daughter, Victoria, also a talented violinist. She is keeping her father’s dream alive (and Sondra’s). Or make a donation to your local food bank or meals program.

Services for Sondra will be live streamed December 26, 2020. Please visit Aycock Young & Prill on Facebook at 4:00 pm.