Sonia (Lesiak) Maraqa, a resident of Wakefield, MA, passed away on August 21, 2022, at the age of 72.
Born in Brazil, Sonia was the daughter of the late Jan and Anna Lesiak. She was the devoted mother of Jura Gavelis of Lowell, Tomas Gavelis of Fitchburg, Fayzeh DeVita and her husband Sal DeVita of Medford, and Katie Maraqa of Wakefield. She was the cherished babcia(grandmother) of Brenna, Veronika, Adelina, and Johnny, whom she viewed as her gifts from God. Sonia was the loving sister of Tereza Seleznev of Wakefield, Vera Lesiak-Frongillo and her husband John Frongillo Jr. of Melrose, and the late Lucia Mackie and Frederick Lesiak. She was the beloved aunt of several nieces and nephews.
Sonia was a teen when she and her family immigrated to South Boston, MA. As the eldest daughter of 5, she helped her parents with her younger siblings as they grew up.
She attended Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy in Brighton. In 1969 she competed for Miss South Boston and was crowned first runner up. After earning her LPN degree, Sonia worked as a nurse for many years. She was a caring person who enjoyed helping the elderly and anyone in need.
Sonia was an intelligent, worldly woman. Beautiful inside and out, she was an international treasure. She lived in Germany and Palestine and traveled throughout Europe. She spoke Polish, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish and English. An avid reader, she always had a book in her hands or by her side. Sonia had an insatiable appetite for learning and eagerly shared that learning with family and friends. Her wisdom will be forever remembered by all those whom she guided with her insightful advice.
She had a gift for gardening, both indoors and out. It was said, "Sonia could bring even the weakest plant back to life".
Sonia welcomed everyone into her home with open arms. She will most fondly be remembered for how fully she embraced and enjoyed her most treasured values: family, relationships, children, love, knowledge, and the world. She will be missed.
Visiting Hours at The Casper Funeral Home, 187 Dorchester Street, South Boston on Wednesday, from 5:00-8:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday in St. Brigid's Church at 10:00A.M.