Sondra Jane Woodmancy Fox

Sondra Jane Woodmancy Fox

Olean- Sondra Jane Woodmancy Fox passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23rd, surrounded by her loving family at ECMC. Born on March 4, 1937, at Olean General Hospital, she was the daughter of Wayne and Alta Fidler Woodmancy. Sondra was raised in Eldred, PA, in the warmth of aunts and uncles. In June 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” Fox, who survives. Together they built a family.

Sondra graduated from Otto-Eldred High School in 1955. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, graduating cum laude from Keuka College in 1959. She later completed her Master's in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Maryland in 1966.

Her professional career, spanning five decades, was marked by a profound dedication to public health and mental health services. She worked as a Public Health Nurse in Maryland and New York, served as Assistant Director of Nursing at Crownsville State Hospital in Maryland, and spent 25 years as the Director of The Guidepost, an outpatient treatment center in Olean. Additionally, she consulted for the Head Start program in Cattaraugus County and contributed her expertise as a Cattaraugus County Board of Health member. Sondra was a fierce advocate for improving mental health resources in her community, leaving a lasting impact through her efforts.

Beyond her professional life, Sondra will be remembered as a woman of unshakable determination, a mentor to many, a world traveler, a quintessential hostess, and a friend to all. She had an insatiable curiosity and a zest for learning, never hesitating to embrace new experiences.

To her family, she was much more—an adoring wife, a devoted mother, and a beloved Gram/Nana. Sondra’s love for her family was the cornerstone of her life. She delighted in creating special gatherings, celebrating each family member’s unique gifts, and providing unwavering support through life’s challenges.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bill; their children, Paula (Scott) Derwick and Bill (Sue) Fox, and six cherished grandchildren: Alex (Van) Derwick, Hannah Derwick, Liyah Derwick, Katherine Fox, Rebecca Fox, and Grant Fox; her brother, Allan Woodmancy; her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Jane Fox; and beloved nieces and nephews, including Guy (Kira) Fox, Jeff (Tina) Fox, Janice (Chris) Holly, Mark (Dorothy) Woodmancy, Carol (Tim) McGuire, and Sarah Woodmancy.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 1st, at 11:30 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service in the church's Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations, if desired, to one of the following: Cattaraugus County Regional Foundation funds - The Sondra J. Fox Scholarship Fund or The Fox Derwick Family Supporting Children in the Arts Fund, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Sondra’s love, service, and passion for life will be deeply missed, but her legacy will forever be cherished by all who knew her.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St, Olean.

Online condolences may be expressed at guentherfh.com.