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Sonia Ross (Laserson)

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Sonia Ross (Laserson)

1924 – 2021

Sonia Ross (née Laserson), affectionately known as Sunny, passed away peacefully in Cochrane Alberta on Jan 31, 2021 on her own terms. She leaves behind her son Michael Ross, daughter Debbie Gibney and sister-in-law Molly Ross. Sonia will be missed immensely by her extended family and many other loved ones who will keep her legacy alive. She is predeceased by her husband's Gothard Nielsen and Howard Ross, her sons Colin and Stephen, and her daughter Heather.

Sonia was born in London, England in 1924. She lived through the second world war, worked in the Royal Air Force and married Canadian soldier Gothard Nielsen in 1943. Within a few years she emigrated to Canada arriving in Halifax NS with her one-year-old son, Michael. They made the journey by train to her husband’s farm in Hussar AB. Tragically, Gothard was killed in an accident not long after her arrival and she relocated to Calgary AB.

Sonia later met and married Howard Ross in Calgary AB to whom she devoted the majority of her life in support of his homebuilding career and their family. Together, they raised five children whom they moved along with their many pets fourteen times in a twelve-year time span. Holidays were often spent by the shorelines of Sylvan and Windermere Lakes - spending hours waterskiing together.

Sonia chaired the Ladies Auxiliary for the Calgary Home Builders Association for many years where she forged long lasting friendships that carried her through life. Many photo albums were filled with photos of social gatherings, crib games, golf, and sunbathing in warmer climes with these ladies. In retirement with Howard many winters were spent in Hawaii and Arizona doing much of the same. In 1996 they moved to Cochrane AB to be closer to family and grandchildren and she remained in Cochrane until her passing.

Sonia was deeply caring and many fell under her umbrella of support. She was greatly involved in the young lives of her grandchildren whose memories are flooded with highly anticipated visits to grandma and grandpa’s house where the oatmeal was perfect, the winding stairway felt palatial, the undivided attention was lapped up, and bedtime stories were sweet (and now read regularly to her great grandchildren.) She was thrifty, and her family laughs at the thought that she must have had a coupon for just about anything. Sonia is cherished for the wellspring of love that she shared so generously, her resilience in the face of tragedy, her wit, and no-nonsense attitude.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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