Sonia H. (Kisk) Southwick 86, of Leicester, died Saturday, May 28 at Overlook Masonic Home Center in Charlton.
She was the wife of Thomas E. Southwick who died in 2002 at the age of 93. She leaves four sons Denis F. LaForce and his wife Jane of Manchaug, Kenneth C. LaForce of Charlton, Mark A. LaForce of Ware, and Thomas E. Southwick, Jr. and his wife Karen of Leicester, two daughters Janis E. Nelson and her husband Robert of Charlton, and Ruth E. Berman and her husband Alan of Leicester. Her grandchildren Jason Maker of Spencer, Joshua Maker of Rutland, Cody and Samuel Berman of Leicester, and Sylvia Trevor of Worcester, a great grand daughter Sophie Maker of Spencer/Charlton, many nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters and brothers in laws.
Sonia had been widowed in 1955, when her firefighter-husband Francis R. LaForce was killed in the line of duty in Worcester. She later married Thomas Southwick in 1963, and moved from Tatnuck Square in Worcester to Maple Hill Farm in Leicester. Sonia raised her family and helped her husband Tom run the family farm…raising and selling Christmas trees during the Holiday seasons, and producing and selling home harvested Grade A maple syrup and sugar products each Spring.
She was a “born again” believer and member of Greenville Baptist Church in Rochdale. She was an active member and volunteer in the community. She co-founded, along with her friend Betty Allen, the FISH organization in Leicester, which supplied volunteer drivers for special needs and elderly patients needing rides to doctor’s appointments. When short on volunteers, Sonia drove them herself.
She loved family get-togethers, playing the accordion, woodworking and babysitting her grandchildren. Her nickname was “Sunny”, which described her disposition.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 4 at 10 a.m. in the Greenville Baptist Church, 684 Pleasant St., Rochdale. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours.
MORRISON-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester is directing arrangements.