Obituary of Sonya K. Thomas

Sonya K. Thomas, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away January 25, 2016 at the age of 83 surrounded by her family. Sonya had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer earlier in the year. With the help of her family, her caregiver Mary O'Donnell, and Hospice of San Joaquin she was able to stay in her home until just after Thanksgiving. Sister Sharon Mello of St. Anne's Catholic Church was a constant spiritual support and beloved friend for the past 3+ years. This last year, Chaplain Sullivan from Hospice of San Joaquin joined her beloved circle of support. Sonya was born to Earle Lafayette and Carolyne (Christensen) Millard in Spencer, Nebraska on December 27, 1932, on her grandma's kitchen table! Sonya and her mother later moved west where she attended Catholic boarding school in Boise, Idaho. She graduated high school in Ontario, Oregon and married Jim Ackerman. Sonya's step-dad was a horse and livestock dealer in Oregon and the West Coast so she spent years riding horses and showing Shetland ponies. She was a member of the Payette County Sheriff's Posse-ettes along with her two daughters. They rode and performed in many parades and rodeos in Oregon and Idaho. Sonya met her second husband, Don Thomas, in Idaho. They moved to Lodi, CA following the birth of her second oldest granddaughter. Sonya was an office manager for Nutri-System, then primarily office manager and co-owner of Perfection Automotive in Lodi with her husband Don. She has been active in the Lodi Community with Catholic Charities as an Ombudsman, the Lodi Civitan Club, and a docent at Micke Grove Historical Society. She and Don were members of the Brew Angels of Stockton, CA. She loved reading, dancing, and being with her family. Her time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren made her life happy and she was so proud of them. She loved them to the moon and back literally! Sonya is survived by her brother, Michael Millard of Weaverville, CA; daughters, LouAnn Ackerman Edens of Lodi and Barbara Ackerman Leskinen (Andy) of Jackson, CA; stepson, Mitch Thomas of Arizona; 7 grandchildren, Jamie Higley Christman of Redmond, OR, Miles John Edens of Fort Wayne, IN, Taylor Shane Scott Edens of Monterey, CA, Keri Leskinen of Merced, CA, Dana Pacheco (Joe) of Lodi, CA , Andrew John Leskinen and Tessa Leskinen of Jackson, CA. She has 6 great-grandchildren; Nathan Christman of Hawaii, Jayden Christman and Jerika Christman of Oregon, Kayla Leskinen of Merced, CA, and Ava Pacheco and Emma Pacheco of Lodi, CA. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass and reception following. Committal will be private. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Sister Sharon of St. Anne's Catholic Church, Hospice of San Joaquin, and Arbor Convalescent Home for the loving care of Sonya.