Sondra Young Abernathy

Sondra was born April 3, 1940 in Columbus, Ohio and died peacefully surrounded by her four daughters following complications of breast cancer on October 17, 2024. She is survived by her daughters Stacy (Bill Tankovich) Abernathy, Lynne (Craig) Murdick, Melinda (Don) Pippel, Megan (Greg) Oldendorp. Grandchildren Madeline and Max Pippel, Carly, Grace, Wesley, and Justin Murdick, Owen, Graham, and Scarlett Oldendorp. Sondra also had a pivotal role in supporting the lives of Joe, Michael, Amy, and Tim Blackford. She is survived by her brother Stephen (Sally) Young of Upper Arlington, OH. Sondra is preceded in death by parents Charles and Ida Young and loving husband of 57 years Thomas J. Abernathy.

Sondra grew up in the OSU campus area and Upper Arlington. She attended Ohio State University’s K-12 Lab school, University School, graduating in 1957 in a class of only 31 students. Unknowingly, her future husband Tom, who also attended, was a grade above her. Sondra was a devoted alumni of University School, continually hosting reunions of life long friends. She received her RN degree from Mount Carmel Nursing School in Columbus. Sondra met Tom Abernathy and they married in 1962. They spent over 50 years in Worthington raising their four daughters on the wonderful Chaucer Court.

Sondra’s passion was to help. She became a nurse for that very reason and spent 30 years at Riverside Methodist Hospital in the Emergency Department as well as working at Wesley Glen, The Kobacker House, and teaching prenatal classes for the Red Cross. Her calm in the whirlwind of the ED department, was something her coworkers cherished. Sondra wants to be remembered as a devoted and caring nurse who put patients first.

Sondra, Tom and family traveled throughout the United States, England, and Italy. Vacations included traveling in a gray van with a pop-up camper, Broadway shows in New York City, and planning surprises of all kinds. Her hobbies included quilting, playing bridge, casino games, and spending time with her grandchildren. She had an inexhaustible desire to help others. Her wishes in life are that we remember the happy times together and for everyone to be kind to each other.

A visitation for Sondra will be held Monday, October 21, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH 43085, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM.