Sonvy Sammons

Sonvy Marit Sammons passed in her home on May 1, 2019, surrounded by loved ones after 75 years of life. She passed just three weeks after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She approached her diagnosis and imminent death with great insight, grace, and class…just the way she lived her life.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, on Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 AM. Attendees are invited to dress vibrantly to celebrate her life the way she lived it.

She believed that justice belongs to all living things and that kindness should be the goal for all mankind.

We found Sonvy’s Daily To-Do list scratched in paper and taped above her computer. She said it best: Count my blessings; Practice kindness; Be productive, yet calm; Let go of what I can’t control; Just breathe; Tell my family how much I love them; Make a difference in someone’s life.

She pursued these ideals through her work as a teacher, Liturgist/Music Director at Corpus Christi Parish, and as a piano and guitar teacher. She took advantage of opportunities to promote those ideals through her work with the Bismarck Human Rights Committee and the Philanthropic Education Organization. She recorded her life experiences and insights in her memoir which was nearly completed at the time of her death. She asked her oldest daughter and two fellow writers to follow her instructions to complete her story. Sonvy may have passed from our physical world, but her spirit and story will continue.

Sonvy is survived by her husband Richard; her daughters Kirsten and Heather; daughter-law-Tiffinie; and her grandchildren Shelby, Noah, and Keagan; and her brother Carl and sister-in-law Margaret.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers Samuel and Halleck.

In lieu of flowers Sonvy requested memorials be sent to the Central Dakota Humane Society, 2104 37th St, Mandan, ND 58554, where they adopted their beloved Nellie.