Sonda Beal

Sonda Christine Beal was born on January 14, 1944 in Phoenix, Arizona to William Ware and Alice (nee) Daw. Chris (as she was known then) was raised in Los Angeles, and other than going to the University of Arizona for graduate school, lived in California her entire life. She spent time in Japan as an exchange student, and came back with a great love for the country and its culture. For many years she taught English, emphasizing writing and thinking deeply.

Sonda became a Quaker by convincement on December 11, 1989 at Berkeley Friends Meeting. Sonda was part of a Friends’ women's group, created to provide support and help build spiritual lives. Sonda is remembered as kind and funny.

Sonda had one child, Cheryl Melinda Sedlacek, born in Santa Barbara on May 20, 1969. On January 23, 1982 Sonda married James Avery in Albany, CA.

From 1989 to 1996 Sonda wrote several book and pamphlet reviews, as well as other articles, for Western Friend (formerly Friends Bulletin). An article she wrote, Knowing Oneself as Spirit showed her struggle with being a Quaker. She had been an active member in Berkeley Friends until she moved to Santa Cruz in around 2000. Shortly after relocating, she met Adyashanti, a teacher in the Eastern tradition.

To quote Sonda: “I had found what I’d been looking for all my life – a teacher who is truly enlightened and, more importantly, made it clear that I didn’t have to mold myself to alien ideas and practices in order to find what I was seeking. As I moved deeper and deeper into consciousness of all that is, I found myself bored at Quaker meeting. I couldn’t find that connection there, and it didn’t take long before I stopped going entirely. So I still wonder, “Am I really a Quaker”? And I also wonder, “What is a Quaker, really?” I would hope for a practice that goes beyond a quaint set of beliefs and an admirable set of non-hierarchical organizational practices – one that allows us not just to experience Spirit but to know ourselves as Spirit.I didn’t drop my membership in the Society of Friends, however. I am on an internal pilgrimage, and I decided I won’t know if I am still a Quaker until I finish with this journey.”

Sonda attended law school in the 1990’s, passing the bar exam without difficulty. Her keen intellect never failed her. Sonda (Christine) practiced law in Santa Cruz where she served others, seeking a resolution to the conflict rather than a “win.” She was pleased when one of her clients stated that she had helped him forgive the other party.

During the pandemic, Sonda often attended Berkeley Friends virtually. She also was an avid participant in the Meeting’s Poetry Discussion Group, and was remembered as kind, friendly, intelligent and insightful.

Sonda lived her life demonstrating love for others. She had a rare zest for life which in spite of numerous setbacks never faded. Sonda enjoyed friendly competition and made many friends over games of tennis and table tennis. She had many hobbies and was an avid writer as well as a piano player. She loved the beach and boogie boarding was her passion, which she was able to do in Hawaii last November.

Sonda Christine Beal (“Chris”) passed away suddenly on August 14th, 2022. A long-time member of the Shoreline Estates community of Santa Cruz, she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Sedlacek of New Mexico; grandsons Michael Sedlacek of North Carolina and William Sedlacek of Washington; and granddaughter Kathleen Valdez of Texas.