Sonia March Nevis, Beloved Gestalt Psychologist, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 10, 2017 at the age of 90. Sonia was co-founder of the Gestalt International Study Center (GISC), an educational organization in Wellfleet, MA that she started in 1979 with her husband. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 10, 1927, and married Edwin C. Nevis on February 1, 1948. She graduated from Brooklyn College and received a Ph.D. in Psychology from Western Reserve University. Sonia was a student of Fritz and Laura Perls, Isadore From and Paul Goodman, and she practiced and taught Gestalt concepts worldwide throughout her life. She helped found the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in 1956, where she created the Center for Intimate Systems, devoted to the training of couples and family therapists. She is the primary contributor to the development of the innovative Cape Cod Model, and was the founder and senior faculty member of the Cape Cod Training Program, which she taught for over 35 years. In addition to being devoted to her family, Sonia continued to teach and maintain a private practice into her mid-eighties, and she was deeply loved and appreciated by many, many people throughout the world. Sonia was predeceased by her husband of sixty-three years, Edwin C. Nevis, and is survived by her daughter Melanie Ruth Nevis of Brooklyn NY; her daughter Amy Ruth Nevis and son-in-law Matthew A. Kamholtz, grandson Samuel Nevis Kamholtz and his fianc Jessica T. Broadley, grandson Aaron Nevis Kamholtz and his wife Samara A. Bell, and great-grandson Emmett Joseph Kamholtz, all of Brookline, MA; brother Ronald March and sister-in-law Lila March of Wykoff, NJ; and numerous loving nieces and nephews and their families. A memorial service celebrating Sonias life will be held on Sunday, October 1, at 2:00 p.m. at the GISC Meeting House in Wellfleet. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nevis Scholarship Fund at GISC.

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Published by The Cape Codder from Sep. 17 to Sep. 29, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Sonia Nevis

20 Entries

Alfred J. Joyell, Ph.D. & LMFT

September 10, 2024

I think of Sonia often remembering how much I learned from her as my therapist and teacher at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in 1978 and 1979. She was amazingly wise and perceptive touching my heart and soul. She changed my life and I will never forget her for that. With Love to you Sonia,
Alfred J. Joyell

Alfred Joyell

September 9, 2020

I think of Sonia very often and when I do, I always see her with that warm, loving smile. She was an important part of my life and will always be with me.
Alfred Joyell

September 9, 2019

Every July 10 I have a reminder sent to me that it is Sonia birthday. I dont forget but it is nice to see her name in my inbox. I miss her so much. Love MAW

June 26, 2018

As you remember your love one, may your treasured memories continue to bring you peace, comfort, and strength to endure.

Pam Gleisser

October 3, 2017

Loved Sonia and Edwin - Sonia was my mentor for many years and helped me get established as a therapist. She also included me and so many others into her life. My true condolences to her family and blessings for you forever. There's so much to say but mostly at this time sending you prayers . PamG

Alfred Joyell

September 30, 2017

Sonia was a truly unique therapist and person who touched my life and someone I shall never forget. I graduated from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in 1979 and she, along with Joseph Zinker, was my therapist and I was also in her group. I sent her a birthday card every year since 1979 because I loved her and never wanted to lose touch with her. And every year she would send me a note letting me know how she was doing. She was always loving, kind, caring and gentle and she will always be in my prayers and thoughts. Very Sincerely, Alfred Joyell

Elizabeth, Alvin and Makaya Revell

September 30, 2017

Forever grateful...

September 28, 2017

Sonia was a brilliant therapist, teacher and mentor for me. She will continue to be present in my work with couples and families. May her memory be a blessing for all of us.
Edwin Harris

A S

September 28, 2017

I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time of loss. May God sustain you at this time of such great loss. Ps. 94:19.

ira

September 28, 2017

I first met Sonia at the marriage, family and intimate systems intensive workshop in 1983. So impressed with her work (and Joseph's) and so nurtured by her down to earth manner (no gestalt frills from Sonia) that I became a devotee of her work for over 25 years-- Sonia as mentor for my professional work and as a therapist who guided me through difficult times in my relationship life. When I am stuck in my work I go to her inside of me and hear her tell me to soften my eyes and step back out of content and connect with the how of the client-- individual,couple, or family. I have taught people her concepts of "How is everything" and " It's the second through that counts" helping clients stay present and graceful in their contact.
Sonia and Joseph were particularly sensitive to my history. Sonia was from Brooklyn as was I and her understanding of my child of survivor background and my struggles because of it made me feel like she was a compassionate Aunt who was able to help me challenge hurtful introjects and supplant them with loving, positive ones
I could write a book about her impact in my life and the lives of others I've witnessed in training and those who have the benefit of her wisdom through me as their therapist.
I love you Sonia and celebrate your life.

Paul Rookwood

September 26, 2017

Sonia remains a shining light in navigating the world with more grace, thoughtful awareness, perhaps a little more skill, and more than a little feistiness. To say that she was not a woman to be trifled with is one way of noting that her impacts were profound and not trivial. Along with Ed she has left a lasting legacy that serves me in darker times than we might wish for. My condolences to the Nevis family.

Mary Anne Walk

September 26, 2017

Amy, Matt, Melanie, Aaron, Sam and partners and Emmett, I am so happy to have had Sonia in my life. My deepest sympathy is with the family and all who Sonia touched through the years. Sonia was a complex and unique individual. Although she small in stature, she was huge in wisdom and impact. As I think back over our time together and smile, my memories are clouded with tears. I will miss her, but will continue to carry her in my heart and her voice in my head, as I know many will. Much love to all, Mary Anne Walk

Donna Sabecky

September 24, 2017

I thank the entire Nevis family for being my mentors and for taking me into your hearts. Sonia had a remarkable presence, making me feel peaceful and safe in her company. Sonia was a gift to us all, and an example of how one person can truly change the world.
With much love,
Donna Sabecky

September 24, 2017

My sincere condolences to the family may you find comfort in the God of all comfort during this difficult time.

Skye Green

September 22, 2017

Sonia has left a legacy of learning, understanding and positive influence for which gratitude is given. Her life and life's work has touched so many others in her journey.

September 22, 2017

I am grateful for having Sonia as a teacher, a mentor, and support during troubled times. I send my condolences to the family of this gracious woman.
Marlene Moss Blumenthal

Phil Hart

September 20, 2017

thanks to Sonia I learned about Gestalt and many other deeply felt subjects - she help educate several years of architects at CWRU - and we spent several years at the Cape - and I had the pleasure of designing their first house on the cape-
thanks Sonia - I will remember you always
Phil Hart

Ansel & Nancy Woldt

September 16, 2017

Nancy and I send our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Sonia's family, friends and colleagues. The news of Sonia's passing has consumed me, Ansel, with sadness and my wife, Nancy, with grief and mourning. Sonia was my therapist during one of the most difficult periods of my life. She was my Gestalt mentor, and then Nancy's and my friend. Not only for me, but for the thousands whose lives Sonia so wittingly, wisely and humanely touched, it is difficult to integrate this news. I continue to experience the soundness and wisdom of Sonia's therapeutic support as she helped me deal with the slow agonizing death of my first wife nearly 50 years ago when our sons were little boys. In the midst of this sadness of her passing, I am mindful of the cheerful times. Sonia and Edwin took me into their home as a guest, feeling privileged by the ways they took me, and then Nancy, into their lives -- beginning in Cleveland and then in their lovely home in the woods at South Wellfleet. Feeling Sonia's warmth, awareness and heartfelt support for 10 years at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, followed by the Gestalt Writer's Group in Boston, which led to serving on the editorial board of the Gestalt Review with her for 10 years and then continuing contact at Gestalt conferences and intensive trainings at GISC are fond memories. I am reminded of Sonia's phone call on a Sunday night in April 2001 saying someone wasn't able to attend GISC's Intensive Residential Training for Couples, Families, Groups, etc. and they would like me to come as his scholarship replacement the following 10 days. Twelve years later as I was reminded of the absence of Edwin's companionship at GISC due to his passing, I rejoiced with Sonia's presence when I was honored for my research contributions at the First Gestalt Research Conference. That was our last time together, face-to-face -- a gift to treasure! I am forever grateful for Sonia's presence in my life and the pleasures Nancy and I were able to share with her as she rejoiced in our marriage. Surely the passing of Edwin and now Sonia is the end of an era. We grieve with you and send our condolences to the family, GISC & Gestalt Review colleagues, personal friends and Gestalt colleagues throughout the world as we say goodbye to one of the most loving, ethical and gracious people we've known. Love, Ansel & Nancy Woldt

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