Sonja Thomas

Sonja Thomas (nee Sarkisian), age 90, born in Cleveland, loving daughter of John and Takouhy Sarkisian both Armenian Genocide survivors.  Loving mother of Lisa Spiech (Michael).  Dear sister of Sam Sarkisian (Sheila) and Mary Voitkun (Tim) (deceased).  Cherished friend of Haikaz.  Dear aunt of Judy Voitkun, Peter and Ara Sarkisian and Amy Sarkisian Vlahovich (Tyler) and great Aunt to Z.  Cousin to Manuel (Marisa) Gozum, Hampar Gozum, Sebu (Ann) Gozum, Ara (Betty) Gozum, and the late Toros (Sirapi) Basma, Hasmik Basma, and many many more.  Friend to many.

Sonja was a devoted caretaker to her parents, was a past member and past secretary of the AYF (Armenian Youth Federation) of Cleveland.  Sonja played violin from a young age through high school and beyond learning the instrument through the Cleveland Music School Settlement.  She was active in high school in the Glee Club, Intramural Sports, Girls Athletic Association, Showboat, Office Assistant, Science Club, Business Girls Club, Y-Teen Service organization, and Booster.  She was active in high school music and plays.  Sonja was active in her younger years with the Armenian Sports Weekends on the East Coast attending many and taking her daughter to them as well.  Sonja was married for many years to Haikaz and remained friends in their older age.  Sonja worked in Public Relations in NYC and then returned to Cleveland to enjoy jobs as a Secretary at a downtown legal firm and a stockbroker company.  After the birth of her daughter, she was a stay-at-home mother and worked in her husband’s drug stores part time for a while.  When she went back to work and into retirement, she enjoyed working in retail stores Joseph Horne Department Store, Gift Shop Stores and Marcs into her 70’s because she loved interacting with people.  She was a fun-loving person who loved getting away to visit relatives out of town in her later years and enjoyed her trips to the casino with her friends.  She enjoyed outings with her friends and family talking their ears off for hours.  She loved dancing Armenian Dances and would be the last one on the dance floor.  She would love to go to the Polka Dances with friends to enjoy the music and dancing. She enjoyed going to Cleveland Indian games, dinners, lunches shopping with friends. She loved her time with her nieces, nephews, cousins and their children interacting as if she was their age knowing the current music, celebrities and events!  She loved life and that had not changed up until the day before her passing attending many musical and art activities dancing her way through the day!

In lieu of flowers family suggests donations to St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Apostolic Church, 678 Richmond Road, Richmond Hts, 44143.

VISITATION WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, May 21 from 10-11 am at St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Apostolic Church followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am.  Interment to follow at North Royalton Cemetery and lunch following the interment.