Sonia J. Celia

Sonia J. Celia, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished member of the community, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Cooper University Hospital in Camden at the age of 78. Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, Sonia was a longtime resident of Edgewater Park, NJ and later moved to the Homestead development in Columbus, NJ.

Sonia led a fulfilling and impactful life. She dedicated 30 years of her career to the Internal Revenue Service in Philadelphia, where she worked as a manager and cultivated many lifelong friendships. After retiring from the IRS, Sonia spent several years working at Ramball Testlabs in Cinnaminson, NJ.  Her commitment to her work and her colleagues was unwavering, and she always found ways to inject laughter into the workday with her playful sense of humor.

As a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Beverly, Sonia served as a former Eucharistic Minister, offering her time and love to the community. Sonia found great joy in participating in the liturgy, especially when it came to singing along with fellow parishioners to the beautiful hymns. Her melodic voice and heartfelt devotion added an extra layer of beauty to the church's worship.

Alongside her husband, Sam, Sonia played a pivotal role in the history of the church. They opened their home to offer one of the first in-home CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes. Through this act of generosity, they ensured that children in the community received religious education and guidance in the comfort of a nurturing environment. Their dedication to the spiritual development of the younger generation touched countless lives and left a lasting impact on the church community.  

Sonia's commitment to her community extended beyond the church. She served as a poll worker for the Burlington County Board of Elections and also devoted her time to the Meals on Wheels program. Her dedication to helping others was a testament to her kind and compassionate nature.

In her leisure time, Sonia found solace in tending to her garden, where her green thumb thrived. She took great pleasure in watching her flowers bloom and creating a beautiful outdoor space for her family to enjoy. She loved nothing more than spending time in her pool, surrounded by her loved ones, dear friends, and playful golden retrievers.  Long Beach Island held a special place in Sonia's heart, and her adventurous spirit took her to many other places, including Paris and Hawaii. 

Sonia's life took an unexpected turn in 2010 when she experienced a spinal cord injury. Despite spending seven months in various hospitals that year, she never allowed her disability to limit her life in any way. Sonia continued to visit friends, spend time at the park, and even venture to the beach for the day. Her positive outlook on life and refusal to let her disability define her served as an inspiration to all who knew her. 

In the last few years of her life, Sonia battled a number of serious health challenges and lengthy hospitalizations. Yet, she faced each one with a positive mindset and a smile on her beautiful face. Her strength, grace, and unwavering positivity were awe-inspiring. She demonstrated an ability to find joy in life's simplest pleasures and approached each day with gratitude.

Sonia was preceded in death by her sons, Santo D. Celia and Stephen M. Celia, as well as her sisters Genevieve Sliwinski and Lorraine Sontheimer. She leaves behind a legacy of love and strength, cherished by her husband of 59 years, Santo M. Celia, who stood faithfully by her side through life's joys and challenges.

She is also survived by her sons, Sean (Lynn) Celia and Scott (Poonam) Celia, her daughter-in-law Lisa Celia, and her adoring grandchildren, Sean R. Celia, Jake Celia, Gina Lee Celia (Elia Palmese), and Karina Celia. Sonia's love for her family was immeasurable, and she treasured each moment spent with them.

She is further survived by her sister Dolores Zalewski and sister-in-law Midge Enrico-Caruso, who shared in the joys and sorrows of life alongside her. Their bond was a source of strength and support throughout the years.

A visitation to honor and remember Sonia will be held at Jesus, the Good Shepherd Parish, St. Joseph's Church, located at 805 Warren St., Beverly, NJ, on Friday, June 23rd, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 am. Sonia will be laid to rest in the serene grounds of Odd Fellows Cemetery, located at Rt. 130 and Beverly Rd., Burlington Twp.

Sonia will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to have known her. 

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