Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Heaven's Gain

Sonya R. Gordon, author of two books, "The Outkasts" and "The Ready Tree" as well as various poems, died Thursday, February 24, 2011 in Ormond Beach, FL. after a long battle with cancer. An educator in Polk, Brevard, Pinellas, Flagler and Volusia counties, Mrs. Gordon also taught at a comprehensive high school in Maine and as an adjunct instructor for Nova University. She earned an AA degree from Westbrook College in Maine, a BA degree from the University of Maine, an MA from University of South Florida and an Ed. S. degree from Nova University.

A member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, she held a Florida real estate license, was a member of Florida Realtors Association and numerous child and animal welfare organizations. Prior to her teaching career, Mrs. Gordon worked as a news reporter and feature writer for newspapers in Maine, New Hampshire, California, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas. As a free lance writer she provided promotional materials for political candidates, a hospital, insurance company and Maine State Stock Car Racing Assoc. She was an avid traveler and nature enthusiast touring throughout Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. While in Australia's outback, Mrs. Gordon climbed Ayers Rock. She also hiked to the peak of Mt. Katahdin in Maine with her older son and daughter-in-law. During a summer spent in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, she earned PADI certification as an Open Water scuba diver. As a field service member she took part in a research data study of prairie dog habitat in Montana, canoeing more than a hundred miles along the Lewis and Clark expedition route on the Missouri River. She had a passion for animals, raising a variety of rescued wildlife babies and was never without companion cats and dogs.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.