On Feb. 16, 2023, Cody Sontag gracefully passed away at her home in Silverton, Oregon.
Born Feb. 19,1952 in Juneau, Alaska to her Alaskan Pioneer parents Joan and Gordon Wahto, Cody grew up in Anchorage. Her passion for birding was inspired by her grandparents living in Homer. She completed her BA in Psychology from Western State College Gunnison, CO going on to receive her Master’s in Psychology at University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Cody worked as a psychotherapist in her own practice in Seattle, WA. Her final decade of work she served as a Military Family Life Counselor at bases in the United States, Europe and Asia. She excelled in her work helping military families face challenges.
Everyone who knew Cody recognized her extraordinary gift of generosity. With her keen eye she knew exactly what was needed to help individuals or entire communities. Cody volunteered to raise funds for Bosnian war survivors. She traveled to Croatia six times bringing resources to survivors, took funds to refugee camps, helped lead empowerment workshops for survivors and aided two Bosnian twins to find safe harbor in other countries. She even entered a war zone to let the parents know their twins were safe.
Cody lived in the Mexican village of Yelapa many winters leading bird tours, helping families start businesses, and contributing to the village. From helping families that survived a local fire in Oregon, to the countless people she sponsored in AA, to always helping friends and family in time of need, most of us have never met a person as generous and adventurous as Cody Sontag.
Cody is survived by her wife, Judith Roth; her siblings David and (Robin) Wahto, Sue and (Larry) Rivers and all her nieces and nephews. Cody’s kind heart, deep love of birds and music stays with all of us!
Cody’s last wish was to bring water to native tribes living in the U.S.
In memory of Cody Sontag: https://www.navajowaterproject.org/
