Sondra Elizabeth (Thunell) MacEwan

Sondra Elizabeth MacEwan (nee Thunell), a much-loved mother, sister, grandmother and friend, passed away on October 22nd at the age of 79. 

Sondra was born to Joseph and Cecelia Thunell on July 31, 1946, in East Orange, NJ and was raised in Nutley, NJ with her five siblings.  After graduating high school from Marylawn of the Oranges Academy, she went on to finish her undergraduate work at Caldwell College and ultimately earned her Master’s in Education at Cedar Crest College.  While she always considered herself a proud Jersey Girl, she ended up spending almost fifty years in Pennsylvania where she found a fulfilling career as an elementary school teacher in the Lehigh Valley’s East Penn School District. 

Sondra was passionate about teaching; spending time and playing cards with friends and family; listening to good tunes on road trips; savoring a fresh lobster roll; solving her Sudoku puzzles; making Christmas cookies; and spending summers at LBI.  She had an endless flair for the creative and was known for her entertaining songs and retirement toasts.  She was a doting grandmother to her grand dogs and the loveable and funny ‘Aunt Sonnie’ to all the kiddies she affectionately considered her ‘honorary grandchildren’.  Above all, she loved being a mother and cherished the time she spent with her two children.   

Sondra is survived by her son Chris, her daughter Lanie (son-in-law Russell and granddog Buster); her siblings Joanna, Gary, Lisa, Carl and Joe; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law and friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.

Viewings to pay respects will be held on Wednesday, October 29th from 1-3 PM and from 6-8 PM at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, with a repast offered in between at the Ramsey Knights of Columbus Meeting Hall (48 Mechanic Street, Ramsey, NJ). A lengthier communal gathering for friends and family to celebrate her life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, and given her love of children, donations to FirstBook (https://firstbook.org/) would be greatly appreciated, as they help ensure children of all backgrounds receive the books and materials they need to obtain the education they deserve.

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