Well, where do you start with your memories of Sonia? So many have commented on what an amazing lady Sonia was, someone who touched so many hearts with her cheeky sense of humour, her unique and infectious laugh and her deep love of life.

It didn’t take long to become friends with Sonia once you’d met her; she was endearing, sociable, always wanting a laugh. She had this genuine ability to make people feel so happy in her company and she brought fun to whatever she was doing.

Her early years were spent in Clapham, London, having been born in Edinburgh to parents Ada and James Stewart. Sonia was the youngest in a family of five girls; her sisters Linda, Diane, Violet and Yvonne. She was very academic and joined the Metropolitan Police as a cadet in 1977. Although she passed all the exams, Sonia didn’t grow the half inch that they’d expected her to while training, so she didn’t reach the minimum height restriction and that career path came to an end earlier than she had hoped.

She worked for St. Ivel in what Sonia wrote her CV as a ‘Senior Computer Operator’, surprisingly to some, as Sonia wasn’t always the most tech savvy! She was there until 1982, by which time she’d met and married Charles and together they had first Andrew, then Stephen, moving to Scotland in 1986. Not long afterwards Sonia started in what was to become familiar territory, working in a solicitors and estate agents office. Over the next 15 years, Sonia worked in several different firms, progressing to a paralegal and proving her ability, motivation and commitment – qualities that everyone who knew her knows she had in spades.

To her sons Andrew and Stephen, Sonia was a wonderful mum. In their early years, Sonia was able to go back to work with the help of Pat, who, having started out child minding the boys, became a best friend through the endless cups of tea and chats that were shared.  

As the boys grew older the family moved homes and jobs, with old friendships left behind and new friendships formed. It was the same with relationships; some ended, and others began. And so, it was in the mid ‘90s that Michael and Sonia met. Michael, who was serving in the Army in Italy, put his house in the UK up for sale, with Sonia coming on board as his solicitor. There was a bit of banter between them – in fact, Michael had even stated he’d take Sonia out to lunch if she was able to sell his house. And true to his word, when he returned to the UK that’s how things played out. They clicked and had their first date buying a sandwich in Safeway at St. Andrews and eating it together in Crail.

Sonia and Michael got married in Norton, Massachusetts in the back garden of Michael’s Aunt and Uncle. The two of them moved to Cruden Bay, where Sonia became a Road Safety Officer, a lot of which involved work with children. She was like a magnet for the kids and loved all the children in her life, not least her own seven grandchildren Tyler and Jack, Niamh, Murron, Isla, Thomas and Cole – as well as Stephen and Lauren’s Charlie.

Eventually, in 2014, Sonia and Michael made their final move up to their house in Maud, where Sonia was happily kept busy with family, friendships and all her pets. Her family were her pride and joy, and she remained someone who always put others before herself, never one to be the centre of attention.

The last six years of her life are testament to Sonia’s bravery. In amongst all her treatment, some of which was very harsh, Sonia battled on, living as best she could. She was so proud to take part in Courage on the Catwalk in 2016 for Friends of ANCHOR.

The help and support of Pat was immensely appreciated, allowing Sonia precious time with everyone at home. Despite the struggles and pain, there were moments of real comfort for Sonia through those difficult years. The visits from those closest to her, the times in the hospital where you could go in and chat to her without distractions, sit for hours remembering with her, and the laughter that was always there, provide great memories to hold onto as we celebrate Sonia and that true joy of living that she embraced.