Sondra M. Cooney

Sondra M. Cooney, age 88, of Kent, OH, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025 at Akron General Medical Center.

Sondra was born May 31, 1936 in Mount Vernon, OH to the late Wilbert and Orpha (Kaylor) Miley. She grew up primarily in Ashland, OH. 

Sondra graduated from Manchester College in 1958. She went on to earn an M.A. in English from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in English from The Ohio State University. She met her husband of 50 years, James, at Ohio State, where he also was a doctoral student in English. After teaching for a year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she and James were married and began their life together in Kent in 1968. She taught literature and writing for over three decades at the Stark Campus of Kent State University and raised two children, Margaret and Charles. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Kent for more than 50 years.

Sondra was a dynamo. She loved flowers, cooking, and hurtling down the road in her bright red Audi. She was a loyal and committed friend. 

She was happiest when doing research in Scotland and England on the 19th-century Scottish publishers, William and Robert Chambers. She wrote her doctoral dissertation on the W & R Chambers publishing firm and continued to focus on the Chambers brothers and their milieu throughout her scholarly life. Her inquisitive mind and knack for sleuthing helped make her an exceptionally good historical researcher. She came to be recognized internationally as a leading authority on the Chamberses. 

Sondra had a big personality and strong opinions. Most importantly, though, she was a woman of deep faith who looked to the future with determination and hope, even to the end of her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Margaret (James Spilsbury) Cooney of Lakewood, OH; son Charles (Whitnie Crown) Cooney of Chicago, IL; granddaughter Katherine Spilsbury. She was preceded in death by husband, James Cooney; parents; and brother, Charles.

Calling hours will be held 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday, February 14th 2025 at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, Ohio. Memorial

services will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 15 at Christ Episcopal Church, 118 South Mantua Street, Kent, with Mother Mary officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Kent Social Services.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.