Birth date: May 15, 1942 Death date: Oct 19, 2023
Sonya Josefa V. Manalo, or “Soy,” as the people who loved her dearly remember her, passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday, the 19th of October, 2023, while residing in Tacoma, Washington. At her bedside during her transition was Read Obituary
Tita Sonya was the soft-spoken, mild mannered aunt of the family. But she will always be remembered as the Clarion of the Clan, the town crier who, through her regular posts and messages announced birthdays, anniversaries and new additions to a growing family that is now entering it's 4th generation. It is a legacy that continued to keep the clan together and the memory of our past generations alive. She was our archivist and family historian who seemed to know more about the Manalo family than the Manalos themselves! Thank you very much, Tita!
During the time of our own grief, when our mom and, just recently our dad passed, she was there for us thru her prayers and novenas. We love you, Tita Sonya and we will sorely miss you! I pray that you are now basking in the light and love of God's glory and resting in eternal peace.
Much love from Poch, Wena, Jed and Miguel
I learned from Mom not only how to be a cheerful giver but most importantly to be a grateful receiver.
Madalas kapag binibigyan tayo regalo or something ng iba, dahil nahihiya tayo sinasabi natin, “uy wag na, ok lang”
When I became a mom, Mommy told me she’d get something for Janus. Naisip ko, meron naman dito sa Philippines na mabibili, wag na sya mag abala na bumili sa US at ipapadala pa dito, mahahassle pa sya.
Imbes na mafeel nya yung concern ko, as a lola, sinungitan nya ko.🤨
Wag ko daw sya paki-alaman sa gusto nya hahaha… 😂😂😂
Ang moral lesson lang naman dun: wag natin alisan ng kasiyahan yung nag bigay (giver), instead, masaya natin tanggapin ang binigay sa atin. Yung kahit di natin kailangan, pero dahil alam natin na ikakataba ng puso ng nagbigay ng regalo, be a grateful receiver.
Since then, naging conscious na ko at mas naging appreciative sa mga gifts, and even sa mga compliments and affirmations. 🥰
Rest in peace mommy and take my love with you. Please kiss and hug Daddy for me. Please hug Vhic for me and Janus, and whisper to him how much we miss him 🫶🏻❤️💜🥹
I love you Ma, until we meet again! ❤️🩹
Aside from being a beloved Mom, also a beloved Tita and sister-in-law.
Rest in peace, Tita. You are in good company now with all our departed Manalos in heaven. 🙏❤️👋
To my dearest Tita Sonya,
I am very fortunate to have spent time with you when you came with Sunday last August. It was short but precious. Who would have known that that would be the last?
I will never forget the time when you and Tito Deo welcomed my family when we arrived in the US. You made us feel at home. You were my family here. Troy and I will forever be grateful to you both.
Some of the things i will never forget about you is your thoughtfulness, your sharp memory, and someone who has very good sense of direction.
Losing you made a lot of us sad but we all know that you are now in a better place with Tito Deo. I know you will always be there to watch over us❤️. We will miss you and love you Tita😘. Rest up🙏
We give Sonya back to Thee, dear Lord,
Thou gavest her to us;
Yet, as Thou dost not lose them in giving,
So we have not lost Sonya
by her return.
Not as the world giveth,
giveth Thou,
O Lover of Souls.
What Thou gavest,
Thou takest not away.
For what is Thine is ours also
if we are Thine.
And Life is eternal
and Love is immortal,
And death is only a horizon,
and a horizon is nothing
save the limit of our sight.
Lift us up, strong Son of God,
That we may see further.
Cleanse our eyes
that we may see more clearly;
Draw us closer to Thyself,
so that we may know ourselves
to be nearer to our loved ones
Who are with Thee.
Rest in peace, Tita Sonya!
Thanks for everything, mom. It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am to be your daughter, but I will do my best — as you always did for the five of us. I remember all the sacrifices you made for me with fondness and appreciation. When my health was failing me, you and Daddy never did. Your support, in every sense of the word, meant the world to me, and I have spent all of my life trying to give back to both of you. That’s why I thank God for giving me the chance to take care of you. It wasn’t easy, but even in hard times, I felt blessed that I could do it. I had no complaints because I did everything out of love. All this time, I held on to the belief that if I could give you at least a fraction of the love you gave us, it would be enough to convey how thankful I am.
Tough times are ahead for us now, Mom. For me, I would have to cook for one less person, set the table for two instead of three, and wake up every morning without you to say good morning to. Sometimes, I catch myself still going to your room to say hello and good night, and I’ll find that you’re not there anymore, and a new wave of tears starts again. Even trips to the grocery store aren’t the same anymore. Yesterday, I went to buy groceries but froze in the middle of the store because I didn’t know what to buy. At the top of my list used to be your favorites, and I’d only get food you were allowed to eat. And every time I see something you like, I’d think to get it for you, then I’d remember that you’re no longer here, and suddenly my chest feels heavy again, and I get choked up.
I miss you terribly, and I know I always will, Mom. But, while I don’t know how to cope yet, I know you’ll always be there to guide me.
No more pain now, Mommy.
Luv u 8, and rest in paradise. ♥️🙏💜
My life was blessed through your friendship. I will dearly miss you Tita Sonya (our parish colleague) esp your loving messages to me. Thank you for being the friend and confidante I needed. Thank you for the life we shared & for letting me see you for the last time by video call to say “I love you”. Our heartfelt sympathy to the Manalo Family. Offering masses & prayers in memory of Tita Sonya. 🙏
My life was blessed through your friendship. I will dearly miss you Tita Sonya (our parish colleague) esp your loving messages to me. Thank you for being the friend and confidante I needed. Thank you for the life we shared & for letting me see you for the last time by video call to say “I love you”. Our heartfelt sympathy to the Manalo Family. Offering masses & prayers in memory of Tita Sonya. 🙏
