Sondra Isaminger

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It was entirely typical of Sondra Isaminger that even as she endured months of torturous treatment in Houston to fight an aggressively spreading cancer, she still found the energy and commitment to host a Bible study group there every week with her husband, John.

The only thing she didn't do that might also have been quite typical was to break out in a lusty R&B song while walking down the medical center corridors.

Those were the constants in the Albuquerque woman's life: her faith, her commitment to helping others and her music.

Isaminger - co-founder of the local band Under the Influence; volunteer to countless causes for the underprivileged; and longtime vocalist with a unique sound that was "a little Aretha, a little Gladys Knight," according to her husband of 25 years - died Tuesday morning.

She was 51.

"She was a woman on a mission," said John Isaminger. "Always `other-minded.' She really had a heart for encouraging those in need, and it spilled into a lot of different areas."

Through music, Bible study and mentoring, Sondra Isaminger reached out to the homeless, prison inmates, cancer survivors and just about anyone else financially or spiritually in need. In 1997, the Isamingers founded Under the Influence, the R&B, funk and soul group which served as the vehicle for their Christian ministry. The band frequented Summerfests and fairs, prisons and parks.

Sondra, who sang professionally for 35 years, met her husband while the two were traveling on the road with a 16-piece show band three decades ago. John was immediately taken with the former Miss Albuquerque; after finding each other, together they found their faith.

The catalyst for forming the band was the death of their 8-year-old daughter, Michelle - also to cancer - 11 years ago.

"After our daughter passed away, instead of sitting around, feeling down, we decided to get busy," said John Isaminger.

But five months after Michelle was diagnosed, Sondra was also diagnosed, with the first of the multiple Stage 4 cancers that eventually took her life.

After an aggressive treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Sondra went into a seven-year remission and the couple dove back into their community efforts.

The band - which played everything from Earth, Wind and Fire to James Brown and Tower of Power - raised countless dollars for local organizations by playing at fund-raisers and benefits. Sondra devoted time to many other causes as well, including Habitat for Humanity, Joy Junction and "A New Attitude," a program she designed to assist female prison inmates.

Then, in 2003, Sondra's cancer - later attributed to a genetic predisposition that had also caused her daughter's disease - returned.

"She fought, I tell you what," John Isaminger said. "She truly dealt with this cancer with courage and dignity, never complaining, never asking, `Why me?' "

Under the Influence - which also includes the Isamingers' 22-year-old daughter, Victoria - played most recently at the New Mexico State Fair last September. It was Sondra's last performance, but will not be the group's finale, Isaminger said.

"Absolutely, it will go on," he said. "One of the things Sondra told me before she started declining was to keep the work up, and I'm going to do that. It's as much in my heart as it was in hers."

A tribute concert is being planned for a later date. Meanwhile, a "celebration of Sondra's life" will be held at Calvary Chapel, 4001 Osuna Road N.E., on Sunday at 2 p.m.

"It's just a huge void," Isaminger said. "A huge loss. Not just to our family, but to the entire community."