Montclair Letter To The Editor: ‘Remembering Dr. Sheila A. Bond’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following letter to the editor comes courtesy of Alan Bond, a candidate in the NJ-11 congressional election.

Last week, I lost my beloved wife and better half, Dr. Sheila A. Bond, to breast cancer. Many in Montclair knew Sheila as a plastic surgeon. To our family, she was the person we loved, depended on, and shared our lives with. To me, she was my partner for more than four decades.

Sheila brought compassion and dedication to her work. She understood that caring for people meant listening to their concerns and treating them with dignity. Her life touched patients, friends, and neighbors, and I am deeply grateful for the kindness our family has received during her illness and since her passing.

In recent months, much of my time was devoted to caring for Sheila. Being present for her was my deepest priority. Although those responsibilities affected my availability, I have remained active in my independent campaign for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.

Caring for someone you love through a serious illness changes how you understand the challenges other families face. Healthcare becomes personal. So do the pressures on caregivers, the financial uncertainty, and the need for someone to listen when a family feels overwhelmed.

These experiences have strengthened my commitment to accessible, compassionate healthcare and to supporting families caring for loved ones. My work with the St. Paul Baptist Church Food Pantry has also shown me how closely illness, financial hardship, and food insecurity can be connected.

As I continue the campaign while grieving, I carry Sheila’s example with me. I hope to honor her through the way I treat people, listen to their needs, and serve our community.

Thank you to everyone who has offered prayers, comfort, and understanding. Your kindness has helped sustain our family through an immeasurable loss.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or letters to the editor on your local Patch site.