Sonia L. Prendergast

October 10, 1961 - March 14, 2014

"To the Moon and Back"

MILFORD - Sonia L. Prendergast, 52, of Milford, died unexpectedly early Friday morning, March 14, 2014, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

She was born October 10, 1961, at Forest Hills Hospital in Queens, youngest daughter of Gerhard Hans and Edith I. Schoellhammer.

In the 1980s, Sonia moved to upstate New York, settling first in Starkville, where she opened a country store, eventually settling in Milford. She served as a Supervisor in the Coding Department at Bassett.

Throughout her life, Sonia's determination led to her success in many unique endeavours. Whether it was her love of flying, her desire to become a pilot, attaining many different certifications as a Coder or pursuing her love of books and reading by working part-time as a librarian at the Milford Free Library, she poured her heart and soul into everything she did.  

Anyone that knew Sonia knows she had a passion for life. She had her own sassy style, and could turn any room into a party with her light and laughter. If you needed someone to be there, Sonia was your girl -- caring and selfless with everyone she loved.

The most important part of Sonia's life was her family. She is survived by her loving partner of 18 years, Rob "Robbie" Elliott of Milford; her parents, Gerhard and Edith Schoellhammer ("Omi and Opi") of Milford; her daughter, Samantha Prendergast and her partner, Erin Fox, of Troy; Michael Prendergast, father of Samantha; her sisters, Sabine Curry and husband, Larry, of Milford, and Susan Leonard and husband, John, of Wilmington, NC; her brother, Lutz Duvinage, of Frankfort/Oder, Germany; three nieces, Amanda Meeson and her husband, Doug, Lisa Curry and Kerri Leonard; two nephews, TJ Leonard and his fiancé, Christian, and Michael Duvinage; and her great nieces and nephews, Jordyn Sarver, Colbie Leonard and Reggie Meeson. She is further survived by Rob Elliott's mother, Catherine "Kitty" Elliott of Cooperstown, and his sister, Sharon, and brother, David Elliott.

Sonia's family will receive friends from 3-5 p. m. Monday, March 17, 2014, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. At 5 p.m., a Celebration of Life will be offered at the funeral home, followed by a gathering at the Upper Susquehanna Cultural Center, North Main Street, Milford .

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Milford Free Library (P. O. Box 1, Milford, NY 13807) would be greatly appreciated.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.