Rosemary Jean Sonntag

Rosemary “Jean” Sonntag, 93, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 19, 2023. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, she was the devoted wife of William A. Sonntag, who passed away in 2007. She is also preceded in death by her beloved and greatly admired sisters, Garnett Leree Frank and Grace Elizabeth Kirchner. Jean, a homemaker and active community member, dedicated herself to her family and the people of Lancaster County. She was always ready to wrap her warm arms around her family and lend her wise heart and listening ear to all. In 1961, she moved with her husband Bill to Lancaster for his job with RCA. Once her three children were enrolled in public school, she joined the League of Women Voters and began a life of public service. She was the Chairwoman of many committees in Lancaster County, including the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee and the Water Resources Task Force. Jean was a tireless advocate for her values, and her impact on the County is well documented in this newspaper’s archives. She led the committee that established a County department dedicated to crisis intervention for mental health and abuse (BHDS). As the committee’s Chairwoman, Jean worked to get Latino representation on the board. And, as a member of the League of Women Voters, she also led a county-wide study into disability access at polling locations. She faced many challenges in her work but remained an optimist. She was once quoted in a community newsletter saying, “I have faith in people’s goodwill and good sense. We have to find a middle ground.” This rang true in her work and her life. To those who knew her personally, Jean’s constant faith in them was a lifeline. Her friends and family will always remember her generous spirit and her fantastically sharp wit. She was always ready to crack a joke, often remarking on the importance of a sense of humor and “being a kid at heart.” Her favorite way to indulge her inner kid was by playing in the water. She was often found at the beach or hosting her friends and family on the boat she shared with her husband. She is survived by her three children, Diane Sonntag, William A. Sonntag Jr, and Wayne Sonntag; her four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law and childhood friend, Joann Chesterman. A Memorial Service celebrating Jean’s life will be held at The Groff Family Funeral Home, 528 W. Orange St. (corner of W. Orange & Pine Streets) in Lancaster, PA on Friday, December 1, 2023. The family will receive guests starting at 10:00 a.m., and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, consider donating in Jean’s name to The Lancaster Farmland Trust, where she was Vice President in the 1980s.

Rosemary Jean Sonntag

February 26, 1930 - November 19, 2023