Sonia and I go back about 50 years to when I first started teaching at Clarkston High School. She became my dear friend and a part of my family. We spent many holidays, birthdays, summer celebrations, and Saturday nights together. Laughter and shenanigans are some of my fondest memories of Sonia. She became an unofficial aunt to my son as well as a “sister from a different mister” to my late husband and me. Once she moved to Florida and I moved to North Carolina, we spent hours on the phone talking about our lives. I had the opportunity to know Sonia’s brothers David and Jerry. Sonia and I shared a love of dogs, and I got to know the parade of dogs that enriched her life. Each of her pets, dogs as well as cats, had a unique personality. I will miss Sonia; however, my memories of her will live on. RIP, my dear friend.

What a wonderful friendship I had with Sonia! Dogs are what connected us at first, but I found so many other qualities in her that bound our friendship over 50 years. Laughter was always abundant with Sonia’s quick wit. She was always the prankster as her friends will remember. You will be greatly missed,Sonia. I was not prepared for this day to come.

I met Sonia my first year teaching at the high school. She was very kind and quickly brought me into her vast group of friends. She was one of a kind and will be missed.

After having Mrs K for gym in Jr High, I didn’t imagine I’d have another gym teacher I’d love so much! Then I have Ms. Letcher…and she was fabulous. I ran into her once about 10 years ago or so, at Billy’s Tip N’ Inn, along with Mrs. Doty and others. It was such a joy to see her. May she rest peacefully. ❤️

She was a wonderful teacher, Clarkston was blessed to have her.

Sonia, or Ms. Letcher as I called her back in the day, was an absolute legend in our family. Whether it was Thanksgiving at my grandparents’, the annual Christmas Eve parties at her place (complete with Aunt Florie’s Fudge), or Christmas dinner at ours (where she could get everyone laughing so hard we couldn’t eat), she was a fixture in my life and my adopted aunt.

Sonia taught me how to float without an inner tube in her pool, she met me at Pine Knob for my first attempt at downhill skiing, and she was there for the notorious Metropark cross-country meltdown of 1982. We shared some great times over food with Sonia as well. The Boneyard for ribs, the “Lost Pair-o-Medics,” the Village Place, and I’m certain I’m forgetting others! She introduced us to “Revenge of the Killer Tomatoes” and “A Christmas Story.” Heck, we even survived an ice storm at her house one winter for a few nights with the smell of the wood fire stove turning her place into a sauna.

I’ll always remember her infectious laugh, her quick wit, and her ability to make even the most mundane moments hilarious. She had a bond with both my parents that made our times together so much fun. Whether it was retelling stories about things that happened at Clarkston High School or my dad’s running battles with her cat Abby over touching the television, there was always something entertaining happening when we were around Sonia.

Sonia, you’ll be missed more than words can say. But I have a feeling you’re up there right now, surrounded by a whole pack of the crazy dogs and cats you’ve owned over the years, from Arnold to Balkie and beyond, enjoying a well-deserved cocktail.

Sad to hear of her passing. A group of us guys would always eat lunch fast and run down to the gym for some pick up basketball. She would always spoil the fun and kick us out. Seems like yesterday. Fond memories.

I knew Sonia from W. Madge in Hazel Park Michigan. My name is Jeanie Modin. We played together when we were in Grade School.. Her Mother was a wonderful cook and fed me all the time. I have tried to locate her but was sorry to hear she passed away.