Published in the June 22, 2018 edition
DOVER, New Hampshire — Sara Jane “Sally” Soney, 81, formerly of Jaffrey, N.H. and Burlington, Mass., died peacefully on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at the Wentworth-Douglas Hospital in Dover after a period of failing health.
She was born in Pittsburgh on May 12, 1937, daughter of the late Holmes and Maybelle (Logan) Crabtree. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to Melrose, Mass. where she went to school, graduating with the Melrose High School class of 1955. After high school she continued her education at the Chandler Secretarial School. On December 26, 1959 she married her husband of 58 years, Norman L. Soney. She and Norman lived in Melrose for a short time, eventually moving to Burlington, Mass. where they spent the next 23 years raising their three children. In 1984 Sally and her husband moved to Jaffrey, N.H. to be closer to Norman’s surveying business. Sally and Norman ultimately moved to Langdon Place in Dover, N.H. in October of 2016 to be closer to family. In October of 2017 Sally moved to St. Ann’s Rehabilitation Center and Nursing Home located in Dover, N.H.
Sally enjoyed keeping busy, and serving her community gave her that opportunity. While in Burlington, Mass. she was involved in several community and church organizations. In Jaffrey, she worked for a short time as a secretary at Crotched Mountain. Upon retiring, she put her all into The Jaffrey Woman’s club where she was a member for over 20 years. She held several positions within the club’s organization however she decided that she never wished to become the organizations president although she had been asked to serve in that capacity many times, for fear that it would take her away from what she loved most, serving her community.
She was a devoted and loyal member of the United Church of Jaffrey, serving on several committees. In particular she enjoyed serving with the Ladies of Triple D.
Sally was involved with the local Meals on Wheels program, serving for several years as a driver and as a director. She spent many years working and managing the Jaffrey Food pantry. She was involved at the inception of the non-profit organizations ‘Shelter from the Storm” and “Team Jaffrey,” putting in many hours in both organizations. She loved to tell the story of how the town would close down Main Street to traffic during the Strawberry Festival so that the youth could participate in games.
In 2003, the local Grange awarded Sally with the Citizen of the Year for her tireless hours of community service.
Sally enjoyed singing with the Monadnock Chorus, which she did for over 20 years. With the chorus she and her husband travelled to Scandinavia and Greece. One of her proudest moments was when the chorus sang at Carnegie Hall.
Sally took part in an exchange program when she and her husband were involved in Bridges of Peace, staying with a family in Estonia, and then welcoming that family into their household.
Sally had several hobbies including cross-stitch and reading novels, but her pride and passion was her family, and in particular her grandchildren. Sally was also very proud of her family’s longstanding maritime history.
Sally is survived by her husband of 58 years, Norman L. Soney of Dover, N.H.; her two daughters: Carol and her husband James Pittman of Northwood, N.H. and Donna and her husband David Langley of Durham, N.H.; her son Alan and his wife Rachel Soney, formerly of Jaffrey, currently of St. Louis, Mo.; her brother: David and his wife Pamela Crabtree of Waterboro, Maine; her grandchildren, Helen Soney and Henry Soney, Kelsie Pittman and Olivia Pittman, and Kyra Langley, and her step-granddaughter, Jennifer Pittman Paris; her nieces, Melanie Rand (Crabtree) of Brunswick, Maine and Amber Hatch (Crabtree) of Buxton, Maine.
At Sally’s request, there will be no calling hours.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, June 21, in the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main Street, Jaffrey. Rev. Mark Koyama, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow at the Cutter Cemetery in Jaffrey Center.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main St., Jaffrey NH 03452.
To view her online memorial or to send a condolence to Sally’s family, please visit www.cournoyerfh.com.
