Sonja Heinze Coryat

1930 - 2021

CONWAY, ARK.- Sonja Heinze Coryat, 90, of Conway, Ark., and formerly of Oneonta, N.Y., passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021, in Conway. She was born on Sept. 30, 1930 in Queens, N.Y., the daughter of Gustav and Ernestine(Clausen) Heinze. A Korean War Veteran, “Sunny,” as she was affectionately known, served in the U.S. Air Force as a Radio Mechanic and later a Public Relations Officer in the Pentagon. A gifted writer, Sonja wrote a syndicated consumer-interest column, “The Curious Shopper,” for King Features from 1983–2000, which appeared in over 200 newspapers nationwide. Her driving force in later years was to have her memoir, Sunny: Ward of the State, read by every person possible. She gave a copy to everyone she met. She and her son Karl searched out roadside Little Free Libraries and placed her book in many of them. An animal lover, Sunny was fiercely independent. She was artistic, painting and working in pastels. She also loved to cook and had an eclectic taste in music and art. Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of raising five strong, smart children. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Coryat of Conway, Ark.; her son, John Coryat of Memphis, Tenn.; her daughter, Laura Coryat of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; her son, Jim Coryat of Mora, N.M.; and her son, Karl Coryat of Conway, Ark.; grandchildren, Francesca Harris of West Boylston, Mass., and Catherine Coryat of Memphis, Tenn.; several great-grandchildren; her brother, Gustav Heinze of Tiburon, Calif.; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her faithful dog, Jackie. She was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Margaret Heinze and Wallie Heinze Cower Romig; her ex-husband, Henry G. Coryat, Jr., of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; her beloved dog, Tut, and many other pets. A graveside memorial service with military honors will take place at the Glenwood Cemetery in Oneonta. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sunny’s memory are asked to be made to Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, Vermont (www.dogmt.com), Super Heroes In Ripped Jeans in Oneonta, New York (www.superheroesirj.org), or to an animal-welfare organization of your choice. To leave a condolence for the family online, please visit www.grummonsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta. https://www.lastingmemories.com/sonja-heinze-coryat