Obituary of Sonia Marie Wilson

OBITUARY SONIA MARIE WILSON February 28, 1965 to February 4, 2022 Sonia Marie Williams was born on Sunday, February 28th, 1965, in Jamaica, West Indies. Sonia arrived in this world at The Hargreaves Memorial Hospital in Mandeville, Jamaica. She was the 4th daughter of Valda Agatha Williams, best known as "Ms. Valda" and the late Leslie Albert Williams, best known as "German" or "Mr. German". Mr. German desperately, at this point, wanted a boy as he already had 3 daughters. He thought having 3 daughters was enough! He willed it so during Ms. Valda's pregnancy that Sonia would be a boy – but it was not to be. He had a beautiful girl in Sonia so much so he nicknamed her "Redibo" because she had fair skin and red hair. And only he could call her Redibo because Sonia would only respond to that name when he called her so. Sonia's home with her first family "The Williams Family" was nestled within the Valley of Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, a quiet town within the foothills of The John Crow Mountains. Sonia was nicknamed by her family "Sone Sone" or "Sones" and to this name she would respond fondly and respond fondly to only intimate members of her family. If you wanted Sonia to do something for you – all you had to say was Sone! Sone! or better yet say Sones! – and she would do it. Sonia had three sisters who loved her so much: Paulette Williams Jackson, the late Pauline Williams Robinson and me, Andrea Williams Morgan. She had 2 brothers who loved her very much: Andrew Anthony Williams and Kirk Anthony Williams. Sonia had a unique and rare talent!! Sonia could sing! She had the voice of an angel and the octave leveled voice to prove it. I only knew she could sing when my mom invited over the neighbors to hear her Nightingale Sone Sone sing. And sing she did to The Books of the Bible are Genesis to Revelation. I was impressed. And was so proud. A few weeks later we attended the Santa Cruz Seventh Day Adventist Church only to hear . . . and our next song will be performed by Sister Sonia Williams. How brave I thought. How brave! Sonia was always a very, very friendly and warm child and she continued those traits of friendliness and kindness throughout her life. I, remember during our growing years, when our mom Ms. Valda would sing on the Anglican choir. Sonia and I would often play outside the Anglican church waiting for our mom to complete her rehearsals. I would not only play with Sonia, but I would watch her too – as all older siblings are taught to do. But as soon as I became disengaged in watching our beloved Sones, she would scamper across the street to play with her new found friend Marie. Sonia would say "Marie is my best friend because her first name is Marie and my second name is Marie and that makes us best friends". And I would say to myself "a common name makes one a best friend"? But I would be proven wrong – because the connection of that name indeed made Marie one of Sonia's best friend -- in a long list of best friends to come. Sonia attended basic school in the foothills of Santa Cruz, of which I can't recall the name. She would go and return from this basic school on the shoulders of her cousin "Auta". Our mom Ms. Valda now 87 years old, would look up the hill of Trevmar Park just to make sure her Sones was safely coming home as the rest of her 3 sisters were already attending Santa Cruz Primary School. Sonia would then transfer to Santa Cruz Primary School where she completed her basic school education. Sonia began her high school years at St. Elizabeth Technical High School, knowns as STETHS. It was there she would meet Dionne, another best friend. It was there Dionne would introduce her cousin Junior Lee McGregor Wilson to our beloved Sone Sone. Sonia and Junior remained husband and wife for 37 years. They were high school sweethearts and knew each other for 40 years. During her STETHS years, because she loved to sing – she formed a singing group "SMC Trio" and they performed at many occasions at her high school. This group was formed with Mitzie and Carol – all best friends. During her years at STETHS – believe me when I say this – Sonia would take one or two of her classmates every week to the house for weekend stay over. This was certainly no fun for our sister Paulette, who would take Sonia aside and say "Sonia you can't do this without first telling me as we have to provide for another person." Sonia would acknowledge this, but would remain undeterred. The following weekend came and so did Sonia and one of her friends for the weekend. What would Paulette do? – she started to prepare for Sones' weekend friends who eventually become our friends. Sonia graduated from STETHS in 1983 and migrated to the United States of America in 1985. She furthered her tertiary education here in the United States and she continued to sing – as singing was her passion. On December 21, 1986, Sonia Marie Williams married her high school sweetheart Junior Lee McGregor Wilson at The Mount Airy Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. James. Their marriage was officiated by our forever-brother-in-law Burnett. A very strict religious wedding it was and Sonia and Junior were told no alcohol or dancing was permitted. But Sonia and Junior had their own celebration with all the bells and whistle in only the Sonia and Junior style we have all come to know. With 37 years of marriage – Sonia's had her second family "The Wilson Family". The Wilson Family came with a bonus daughter Tessa. From her bonus daughter, Sonia had 2 bonus grandchildren. Throughout her wedded 37 year union with Junior -- Wally, as he was affectionately called by Sonia, they had two beautiful daughters: Phylecia in 1991 and Ashley in 1996. On December 27, 2021, I became very frightened. I called my sister Paulette and she remained with me on the phone as I called 911. Sonia was transported to Virtua Hospital in New Jersey. For 7 days Sonia hospitalized at Virtua in late November 2021. On December 28th, 2021, Sonia was transported by ambulance from Virtua Hospital in Vorhees, New Jersey to Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On January 14th, 2022, Sonia was airlifted from Jefferson Memorial Hospital to Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, where she remained in isolation at this hospital for 3 weeks because of strict COVID protocols. We, her family, could only face time with her every day. We did phone calls every day. We texted and we monitored from a distance. We were distraught; but kept up a brave face. On 18th, 2022, while still at Beth Israel, Sonia requested a Thanksgiving worship service for her family and friends. On the morning of January 31st, 2022, I received a call from my sister Sone, Sone. I could hardly understand her. But I heard the word "come". I said "I will be there." I called Junior and said "Junior I don't like how she sounds." "When was the last time you spoke with her?" And he said "yesterday." I said "me too". I said "I spoke with her yesterday and the nurse confirmed her numbers were good." Junior said I have a truck load and I am on my way to New York. He turned the truck around. He said "I have asked my job to come and get their load." Junior said I am on my way to pick you up. I called our sister Paulette, who was in Jamaica, taking care of our mom and told her the sequence of things. Paulette called Beth Israel nursing station and received the news no one wants to hear – "we had to resuscitate her." "Ms. Wilson should get her affairs in order." I called my son, Derrick, to come and get me. My son and Junior arrived almost simultaneously. I called our brother Andrew, to come and he met us at Beth Israel. When we got to Beth Israel they told us to call the nursing station, which we did. We needed to get an "exceptional pass" and only her husband is allowed. I did not care what they said because I knew it was ordained that I would get to see her. I told the front desk "my exceptional pass, my sister, is upstairs" and that is all the exceptional pass I need. We all got to see her that evening and we were only permitted 2 hours of visit – one person at a time. I was the last person to see her close to 7:00 p.m. I demanded she be airlifted back to Jefferson Memorial, as this hospital had protocols in place that allowed family members to physically see and touch their loved ones. I demanded do not restrain her hands! On Tuesday morning, February 1, 2022, Junior called to say Sonia was airlifted back to Jefferson Memorial Hospital. On Wednesday afternoon, February 2, 2022, Palliative Care Doctors at Jefferson Memorial knocked and came in the room where Sonia and I were. They explained the end of life process. They said she would not make it beyond tomorrow. And our Sone, Sone listened intently. She did not cry. She was not afraid. She understood. And I was devastated. They turned to me and said please get your immediate family members here tonight. I made the call to immediate family members. Our sister Paulette landed at Newark International Airport that same Wednesday afternoon. We all worshipped at Sones bedside. My brother-in-law Eddie, massaged her feet for 2 hours. Of which Sonia said, Paulette always told me about your foot massages. Thank you Eddie. On Thursday morning, February 4th, 2022 our Sone Sone started the transitory process. On Friday, February 4th, 2022 at 4:00 a.m. in the early hours, our Sonia had finally transitioned from this world. Her husband, Junior was given the privacy and he was the only one to remain at her bedside. After Sonia's transition, Junior said – "can you believe this?" Paulette called exactly 4:00 a.m. I believed it!!! And you know why -- you see they were both night owls. They spoke with each other into the wee hours of the morning. Not me. I would cut them both off at 10:00 p.m.