Dr. Cheryl L Thompson-Sard, teacher, psychologist, and an expert in child development, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 23, 2019. She was born July 31, 1945 in Manhattan. The oldest of three daughters of Maurice Thompson and Thelma Harris-Thompson, she was a New Jersey resident for more than 35 years. She is survived by her husband David Sard, her son Jason Wiggins, stepdaughter Kristen Sard, as well as her sisters Isis Primus & Nefertiti Ferguson.

Dr. Thompson studied at St John's University and received both her doctorate in clinical psychology and her certificate in psychoanalysis from Adelphi University in NYC. She taught psychology at Seton Hall University for 27 years. She was beloved by her colleagues and friends alike for her brilliance, generosity, caring, and warmth. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church at St. George’s, and before that at Christ Church, East Orange, where her expertise was often sought. Dr. Thompson-Sard was a Founding Member of Black Psychoanalysts Speak, and she is featured in the film, Black Psychoanalysts Speak.

Cheryl loved to teach, inspired by the women who taught her in the New York City public schools in the 1940’s and 50’s. A true pilgrim, She struggled all her life against racism, arbitrary rules, and bureaucratic foolishness. She got her B.A. at St. John’s at a time when women students were forbidden to study psychology. Over the years she trained numerous aspiring therapists and psychologists in a number of NYC - area institutions, including Adelphi University’s Derner Institute, NYU’s Post - Doctoral Training Institute, GSAPP (Rutgers), and CPPNJ, the Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of New Jersey. The NJ Public Defender’s Office often called upon her expertise. Her diagnostic skills were legendary for their accuracy and conciseness. She brought a unique combination of insight and compassion to everything she did.