Sonia LaNeise West, 54, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Born on May 19, 1970, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the beloved daughter of Larry Jerome West and Denisa Ann West (Reid). Sonia was a devoted mother to her cherished daughter, Sydney, and is also survived by her sister, Tonya, her brother-in-law, Ronald, and her treasured nephew, Tre. She was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Shirley Ann Hall Merritt and Laura Oneal West, and her grandfathers, Nathaniel Hill, Woodrow Wilson West, and Thomas Merritt.
Family was the cornerstone of Sonia’s life. As a remarkable mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and friend, her warm spirit and kindness touched everyone she encountered. Sonia’s greatest joy was found by the sea; the beach was truly her happy place. She enjoyed countless vacations to beautiful coastal destinations around the world with family and friends, always making time to savor the tranquility of the ocean shore.
A passionate advocate for physical fitness, Sonia excelled in her high school’s volleyball and softball teams. Throughout her life, she remained active, participating in numerous 5K walks and races, and becoming a dedicated member of SPENGA. Many mornings, she inspired family and friends by attending her 5 AM workout classes. Her enthusiasm for fitness extended to supporting Sydney and later Tre in their soccer journeys, fostering a family love for the sport. Sonia also enjoyed attending Bengals football games, Reds games, and FC Cincinnati matches, creating lasting memories with her loved ones.
Sonia graduated from Northwest High School and continued her education at The Ohio State University before completing her associate’s degree at Cincinnati State, establishing a solid foundation for her career. In 1994, she began her professional journey with an internship at Meridian Bioscience. Over the years, she was promoted to various roles, forming many friendships along the way. She consistently demonstrated her dedication and expertise, ultimately serving as a Lab Manager for several years.
Sonia’s legacy of love, dedication, and joy will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who knew her. She was enveloped in love throughout her life from her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and extended family, who will forever remember her kindness and warmth. Sonia’s life was a celebration of love, family, and adventure, and she will be dearly missed.
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