Fran Sontag-Thompson
Frances Sontag-Thompson “Grandma Fran,” August 18, 1937 to March 12, 2016, widow of the late John Thompson, loving mother of Tim [Lynn] Sontag of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Dan [Debbie] Sontag of Brattleboro, Vermont; Becky [John] Wood of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Ruth [Mitch] Waks of St. Louis, Missouri; grandmother of Andy [Christina] Sontag, Nicky Sontag, Jade [Chris] Clews, Amber Bernier (deceased), Adam Bernier-Sontag, Kayla Bernier-Sontag, Miranda Wood, Annie Wood, Donnie Wood, Arielle Waks, and Dylan Waks; great grandmother of Tyler and Alex Clews; sister of Tom [Dori] Null (both deceased), and Judy Beller; sister-in-law of Joe [Kathleen] Thompson; aunt, great aunt, and dear friend of many.
Fran lived a full life. From reading teacher, sign language teacher, life skills trainer, to home health care company founder; marathon runner; daily yoga enthusiast and late in life yoga master; devoted to meditation and study of Buddhism; life-long walker; vegetarian; lover and supporter of the arts, the environment, and every cause you can imagine. Voracious reader of comics, loved learning, loved movies, never stopped trying new things. Endlessly devoted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Devoted to her late husband and sweet soul mate, John. Incredibly unassuming, nonjudgmental, and zen. Always smiling. She always introduced herself as “Grandma Fran.”
Memorial Service to be held:
Saturday March 19, at 3:00 p.m., at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63117
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a charitable donation. Suggestions include
Missouri Coalition for the Environment, 3115 South Grand Blvd., No. 650, St. Louis, Missouri 63118
Forest Park Forever, 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, 63112
The Amber Bernier Scholarship Fund, donations c/o Steven Perrin, Principal, Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Rd., Brattleboro, VT 05301
Diabetes Association, 425 South Woodsmill Road, Town and Country, Missouri 63017
Hi Ruth & Mitch we are very sorry for the loss of Fran Kathleen got a call in Austin Texas as in regards to the death of Fran and relayed a message to me Thomas McNeal and told her I would leave a message from all of us , we are all very sorry of hearing the passing of Fran and would like send our sincere Condolances to you and your family!! She was also a great part in the life of late father; Gerald Ewdin McNeal . Sinc Thomas McNeal (of Astoria Oregon) Kathleen McNeal (of Austin Texas) And Patrica Clem ( of Hollister Califorinia)
My family and myself were shocked to learn this sad news. I stayed in Fran’s house for more than 3 years while I was a graduate student at Wash. U. For me, I learned the spirit of American from Fran. She demonstrated to me the American courage to dream and to love. We still kept in touch with email and phone call after I left St. Louis. My family and myself really miss Fran. We will remember her smiling face forever. Mafina, Dharma & Shanti
Our deepest sympathy to Tim, Dan, Becky, and Ruth. Back in the early days of our ministry we enjoyed sharing life with your parents (and with you four, although you were very young!) in activities in Augusta, Defiance, and Marthasville, Missouri, and later in visiting in each other’s homes in Illinois. We always appreciated Fran’s caring ways and her deep devotion to her children.
With love,
Don and Anne Sabbert