Alice Harmon Sontag

Alice Anne Harmon Sontag passed away on February 19, 2022 at her home in Oriental, North Carolina. She was surrounded by the things she loved most: her family, her pets and the wildlife outside her windows.

Alice was born November 27, 1942 in Buffalo, New York to Edward Joseph Harmon and Mary Alice Morton Harmon. She was the proud daughter and descendent of four generations of Coast Guardsmen. She spent her early childhood at Fairport Harbor Coast Guard Station before her father was transferred to stations in Erie, Pennsylvania and Mackinac Island, Michigan. In a final transfer, her family returned to Buffalo and settled in the village of Lake View where she proudly took the responsibility of showing and owning Arabian horses throughout her childhood and into adulthood.

She was a graduate of Immaculata Academy in Hamburg, New York and of Buffalo State Teachers College and the University of Virginia. Alice taught middle school English in Western New York before moving to Madison, Wisconsin and later to the Washington, DC area with her family. She taught English and Special Education for nearly three decades at Bryant Intermediate and Carl Sandburg Middle School in Alexandria, Virginia where she dedicated herself to teaching middle schoolers to be effective writers and to love reading. The friendships Alice made during her Bryant and Sandburg tenure were full of laughter, mutual support and love that has endured. Many will remember a person whose generosity of time and spirit brought home students in need of extra love and direction and who always supported young people pursuing educational opportunities. At retirement she was accompanied by her dear mother to Oriental, North Carolina. Alice’s only real retirement plans were to be closer to her children and grandchildren and to tool around the area creeks and rivers on her skiff. She was soon contributing her time and energy in her new community. She was also a founder of Pamlico County Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry which gave her the rewards that come with service of heart and hands. Of all her endeavors, she was most proud to be part of a dedicated group of the Catholic community in Pamlico County who helped to build St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.

Her love of literature and her proud Irish roots made her a persuasive writer and orator with the ability to draw tears, bring laughter, and when necessary, inspire people to open their wallets for a good cause. Her loyalty and charm made her a valued friend. Her wisdom and wit allowed her to bluff at Scrabble and challenge anyone to bring out the dictionary. Her family will remember her unconditional and generous love, her spirit and that she always stopped to move turtles across the road. Her dedication to causes bigger than herself made a positive and lasting impact in her corner of the world. She loved to raise a glass of Bushmills to toast good times, and to memories old and new.

She is survived by children: Edward William Sontag and (Kelli) of Richmond, Virginia, and Mary Kathleen Richardson (Staton) of Greenville, North Carolina and grandchildren: Kevin Joseph and Michael Scott Sontag of Richmond, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Edward W. Sontag; her parents; grandparents, Alice Mary and Raymond Guy Morton in Ohio; and Anne Elizabeth and Florence Joseph Harmon of Buffalo; wonderful aunts and uncles; special cousins Edward Harmon of West Seneca, New York; and Denny Morton of Grand River, Ohio; and Patrick and Kathleen Slattery of Barrow, County Kerry, Ireland.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman in Oriental on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 10:30 AM followed by the Rite of Committal at St. Peter the Fisherman Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers the family asks any memorial donations be made to St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church Assistance Fund at 1149 White Farm Rd, Oriental, NC 28571 or Pamlico County Fishes and Loaves at PO Box 771, Oriental, NC 28571.