Obituary: Sonia K. Matthew, 72, of Southbury

On April 20, 2016, Sonia K. Matthew, the beloved wife for 53 years of Jacque R. Matthew, ascended to heaven from Yale-New Haven Hospital after living 72 full and joyous years.

Born October 17, 1943 in York, PA to Lorraine D. Raffensberger and Robert J. Raffensberger, Sonia spent the majority of her life in York before retiring to Southbury, CT in 2004 so that she and Jacque could be active grandparents to their three grandsons.

At the age of 15, Sonia met her life partner, Jacque, at the Northwest Sweet Shop in York, PA, and shortly after accepted their first date to view the July 4, 1959 fireworks at York’s Edgar Fahs Smith hill overlooking the York Fairgrounds.

This date turned into many more, resulting in a marriage that could only be described as one of mutual adoration and support. During their time in York, Sonia was employed as a nurse for 18 years by Dr. Russell E. Grove, M.D. and then as a social worker for 17 years by the York County Area Agency on Aging.

A 1961 graduate of York’s William Penn High School, Sonia always held education in the highest esteem, receiving degrees from York College of Pennsylvania (B.S.) and Villanova University (M.S.). Achieving these degrees while working full-time was one of her proudest accomplishments. Sonia was a lifelong knitter, an avid reader, and of late, an accomplished quilter.

Most of all, Sonia loved spending time with family, always providing a listening ear for her daughters, Allison and Kirsten, and embracing her inner prankster with her three grandsons to whom she was affectionately known as “CC”. Sonia had a contagious laugh, a smile that could light up a room, and an overall calmness and organization that was comforting and reassuring for those around her.

Sonia is survived by her husband, Jacque of Southbury, CT, her mother, Lorraine of York, PA, her two daughters, Allison Kipp of Easton, CT and Kirsten Matthew of Port Neches, TX, her three grandsons, Matthew, Ryan, and Justin Kipp, her brother, Scott K. Raffensberger of Myrtle Beach, SC and his family, Andrew and Tina Raffensberger, their sons Nathan and Alex of York, PA, and Chrissie Parks and her granddaughter, Lexie, of Myrtle Beach, SC.

She is also survived by her uncles who she so greatly admired, Charles Raffensberger and Clair Raffensberger, both of York, PA, and her many cousins in York, PA. Celebration of Life services will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at 11:00 am at St. James Lutheran Church, 111 Peter Road, Southbury, CT, and Friday, April 29 at 11:00 am at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market Street, York, PA with family visiting hours at 10:00 am in the St. Matthew’s church parlor.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. James Lutheran Church in Southbury, CT, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in York, PA, or The American Heart Association- Congenital Defect Research. Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury.