Sonya, a good friend to many, died last night. She was 44.

[swag]

Her cancer spread to her brain and killed her, but she fought it almost to the end.

A beautiful person, a rough realist, a good trash-talker, and a giver.

Early last Spring we were sitting in a usual hangout and she told me she wanted to make it to the summer, to feel warm again. I'm so glad that she made it almost all the way through summer, because she had a relatively good one. The hot weather, the berries, the watermelon, going back to Yakima to see her family, having her family and friends visit in Portland.

Two months ago, she told my friend Beth that she wasn't afraid of dying, she was just afraid of more pain. It's so good that she is out of the pain.

After she began chemo, she got herself the most fantastic, sexy array of wigs, and she was quite the looker bald, too. She brought homemade cupcakes to an art show we had once, even though she was sicker than a dog from chemo. Such a sweetheart.

In the last couple of weeks, she didn't want any more of the summer fruit or vegetables that she had enjoyed so much, just chocolate bars. So that's what she ate, sitting at home and giggling at movies on her TV, most often with visitors, unless she was too exhausted and told her nurse aunty to chase everybody away.

She liked to party with her friends, and be funny and sexy. Good for her. She was great at it.

I'll miss her. I'm not the only one who will, not by a long shot.

[redqueen]

1. so sorry for your loss

glad she's out of pain at least...

[bigwillq]

2. I am very sorry for your loss.

She sounds like an incredible woman. :cry: :hug:

[skygazer]

3. I'm so sorry

She sounds like a wonderful person who knew how to enjoy life. She was far too young to leave it. :hug:

[Guava Jelly]

4. :o(

I am sorry for those who loved her.
Cancer is so unfair...
The world is lessoned by her passage.
I raise my beer to Sonya...

[Haole Girl]

5. I'm sorry for your loss

That was very eloquent (what you wrote) and it honors her well.

Hugs for her family and friends... :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

6. Safe passage, Sonya.

[lost-in-nj]

7. I'm sorry

:hug:

lost

[Sugar Smack]

8. Oh, Jesus.

It takes a soul with an unbelieveable sense of humor and character to go through that with such grace. I have the feeling she fought sympathy as if she was in a coloseum. I wish you and hers well. Rest in peace, Sonya.

[Bullwinkle925]

9. swag - it's never easy letting go of a loved one . . .

it sounds like she had so much going for her in terms of knowing who she was, whom she wanted to be around and how she wanted to live her life. i am glad that she is no longer feeling pain - that her spirit is now free to roam wherever her heart takes her.
take care swag - i know she'll never be forgotten by her friends.

:hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

10. My thoughts, prayers, condolences and deepest sympathies for your loss

Your friend sounds like a wonderful and remarkable person who touched and made a positive impact on the lives of many. Your very beautiful and eloquent tribute profoundly moved me

My deeepest in terms of sympathies, thoughts, prayers and condolences are once again extended to you and to her family and friends. I'm so sorry :hug:

[Parche]

11. Swager

My Fellow Portlander, I mourn your loss
:hug: :hug::cry: :hi:

[Wcross]

12. I guess it is true, the good die young.

I am sorry that the world has lost such a beautiful person in the prime of her life.

[bluedigger]

13. I'm sorry for your loss.

Sounds like she left many happy memories behind, which is the most we can hope for!

[Critters2]

14. I'm so sorry, swag. nt

[soleft]

15. wishing you and your friend comfort and peace

[swag]

16. Thanks everybody. She was a good egg.

There were a lot of us who knew her who still have each other, and who were happy to have been friends with Sonya. We'll be hanging out at one of the usual spots tonight, I'm sure. And we'll try to show out strong for her family, particularly her mother who would have done anything for her daughter, at the service.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My dear swag...

What an eloquent tribute to your friend...

Here's a poem I found many years ago inside a Hallmark card; it's perfect for your situation, I think:

Life is eternal;

And love is immortal;

And death is only a horizon;

And a horizon is nothing

Save the limit of our sight.


Safe passage to her...

{{{hugs}}} for you...

[applegrove]

18. sorry.

[Rising Phoenix]

19. she sounds wonderful

someone we can all learn from...sorry for your loss :hug:

[HEyHEY]

20. Sorry, bro.

:hug:

[Ellipsis]

21. Sorry

May the memory of her enrich your spirit.

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

22. Wow, that's a touching remembrance, swag.

Sonya sounds like a very cool person who will be dearly missed. Sorry for your loss, man. :pals:

[laylah]

23. Safe passage

sweet Sonja and :hug: to you, her friend. What a beautiful memorial you have just given her.

[MonkeyFunk]

24. I'm very sorry, Swag...

:hug:

[graywarrior]

25. .

:hug:

[txwhitedove]

26. This is a wonderful tribute to your friend. Hugs to you.

:hug:

[ThomCat]

27. I hope she went peacefully.

I'm very sorry for the loss that you, and all of her friends and family must feel. :hug:

I hope you are okay.

[Radio_Lady]

28. SWAG! So sorry to hear this. Cancer is so prevalent -- I can share the pain only from a distance.

My husband lost his first wife in 1971 -- stomach cancer at age 34. Left him with three kids we tried to raise as well as we could, along with my two kids from previous marriage (divorce). My grandmother died of pancreatic cancer. My mother had breast cancer, but didn't die from it.

Please accept my deepest condolences.

OT: I sent you a PM about your event. Call me if you can.

In peace,

Radio Lady in Beaverton, OR

[greatauntoftriplets]

29. My condolences on your friend's death.

:hug:

[QMPMom]

30. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Kali]

31. Sounds like she died well.

I hope to do the same if given the choice. I am sorry for your and her other friends' loss.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

32. Sorry for your loss, swag.

:hug:

[Bjornsdotter]

33. I'm so sorry

...having had a friend who went through brain cancer, be happy that it is over and there is no more pain.

She'll always be with you in your heart. :hug:

[Left Is Write]

34. I'm sorry, swag.

:hug:

[deepthought42]

35. ...

:hug:

[Beausoir]

36. A beautiful recollection of her story. You must have been a great friend to her.

Rest In Peace. Gone too soon.

[Swede]

37. She sounds like a sweetheart.

You are both lucky to have each other as friends. RIP Sonya.

[WinkyDink]

38. God speed Sonya, and God bless you, {{{swag}}}.

[swag]

39. Beth remembers Sonya

Honoring Sonya...

I think I met Sonya when she started bringing her "book club that didn't talk about the book" to Every Day Wine. It didn't take long for me to realize this hot Latina was going to be my friend. She would say, "I feel like drinking beer tonight." Oh goodie, not a wine snob! We were off to a perfect start. Her carrot cake didn't hurt our friendship building either. We shared a lot of things, including a sweet tooth. For the past 4 years, even amidst the chemo, she has baked this cake for my birthday. She was thoughtful and generous.

What I Know About Sonya

God damn that girl could shop! She was always put together with style, elegantly coordinated from heal to toe: strappy shoes to earrings to manicured nails to Italian fishnet hosiery. The Nordstrom lingerie department knew her by name. I experienced this firsthand when I went bra shopping with her. She was a professional and she had fabulous taste. She taught me about the Half Yearly Sale and put me on the mailing list. I was clueless and I did what I was told. And did I mention the shoes? Wow. She was sassy and sexy.

And she could dance. "If a man can't dance, forget about it." I will always see her dancing with Felipe at the bar (the only other Latino allowed at EDW - a running joke between the three of us). She was confident, opinionated, and proud. She checked me when I needed to be checked. I loved that about her.

And she loved a party. And she loved to plan. And decorate. And she loved to laugh. And did we ever share some laughs. She was easy to be with. A priceless quality in a good friend.

And then she got sick. And she handled it with a strong and courageous smile. And she lost her hair. And she was the sexiest bald lady I'd ever seen. Unbelievable. And sometimes she'd mix it up. Occasionally a brunette. And when she was feeling particularly spicy, she would pull out the Shakira wig. And the lil' curly blond Latina would turn heads.

Man it was hard for her to let anyone do anything for her. She was used to always being the giver. And then finally she started telling me what she wanted. Watermelon. Coca-Cola. Moscato d'Asti. Clam Chowder. Burgerville. MEAT. I loved getting her what she was craving. I felt lucky.

Our friend Sonya left the party way too early, and believe me, she really really wanted to stay. She loved us (almost as much as she loved shoes). There is an odd collection of regulars at Every Day Wine (you know who you are). And Sonya fit so perfectly. I will miss her everyday, and I will never forget what she has shown me.


There will always be a special seat at the bar for our friend.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. My dear swag...

This tribute by Beth to Sonya has reduced me to tears...

What a beautiful and loving memorial it is...

Safe passage to Sonya...

Hugs to all of you who love her and who will always remember her...


There will always be a special seat at the bar for our friend.

[terrya]

40. My condolences to you, swag.

Sonya sounded like a dynamite lady.

I'm so sorry, swag.

:hug:

[swag]

41. And one more

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/obits/1190246138124890.xml&coll=7#continue

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in St. Andrew Catholic Church in Portland for Sonya Martinez Cook, who died Sept. 17 at age 45. Recitation of the rosary will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, also in the church.

Sonya Martinez was born Aug. 20, 1962, in Toppenish, Wash. She lived in Seattle before moving to Portland in the late 1990s. She was a claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance. In 2005, she married Paul.

Survivors include her husband; mother, Ruth Cabrera; brothers, Felix Rodriguez, Frank Rodriguez and Roy Martinez; and sisters, Lupe Bell and Michelle Valdez.

Remembrances to Providence Hospice. Arrangements by Zeller.

[1gobluedem]

43. So very sorry...

I'm glad you have the pleasant memories, though, and that Sonya had her good summer...

:hug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

44. sorry

:hug:

[ghostsofgiants]

45. Damn, she sounds like a wonderful person.

That's really sad.

[devilgrrl]

46. I'm very sorry for your loss.

She sounded like a wonderful human being.

:hug:

[UrbScotty]

47. My love to you and to all who knew her.

[asthmaticeog]

48. I'm sorry, swag.

:hug:

[swag]

49. Finally, from her Family's hometown paper

http://www.yakimaherald.com/obit/show/4486?print=1


High School


Portland, circa 2005

PORTLAND, OR - Sonya died Monday, Sep. 17th, 2007, at her home in Portland, Oregon, after a long battle with cancer.

Sonya was born Aug. 20th, 1962, in Toppenish, Washington. She was raised in Wapato where she graduated from Wapato High School. She attended YVCC in 1982, and moved to Seattle where she started a career with State Farm Insurance while attending Shoreline CC part time.

She then followed her heart and moved to Portland and married her husband Paul.

Those who were blessed to have met her, instantly liked her.

She graced our lives with her warm welcoming smile. Sonya was a very loving, thoughtful, and kind person to her friends; with just the right amount of style and spunk. She enjoyed cooking and baking, her book club, decorating her home, and spending time with loved ones and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, her baby brother, and her brother-in-law, Jose Valdez.

Survivors include: husband Paul Cook, mother, Ruth Cabrera, brothers, Felix Rodriguez (Janie), Frank Rodriguez (Tammie), Roy Martinez, sisters, Michelle Valdez, Lupe Bell (Jim), in-laws Paul Sr., Joan, Pamela and Gabriel Cook. Also surviving are numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, Godchildren, and extended family and friends. A special thanks goes to her Hospice nurses and caregivers.

Sonya will be greatly missed. Thank you for your prayers and support.

[tigereye]

50. I'm sorry, swag

I hate when people are taken from us. Cool people we love. ALways seems pretty damned unfair.

But it sounds like she went her way- and that's a cool thing.


:hug:

[Richardo]

51. So sorry , swag

What a lovely person she was :hug:

[mwdem]

52. So sorry, Swag.

It seems you have lost a very dear friend. There's a lot of sadness here lately.:hug:

[Pushed To The Left]

53. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

:hug: She sounds like she was an amazing woman.

[abq e streeter]

54. Fucking cancer...

I hope that doesn't sound disrespectful; its meant as an expression of profound and sincere sympathy. It took my mom at 48, both my grampa's before I was born and my buddy Russ , also at 44. Again, you and Sonya's family and friends have my deepest sympathy, and yes its good that she's out of the pain.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

55. I'm very sorry for your loss

I'm happy she's no longer in pain, but it's so hard for the loved ones left behind. Take care. :hug:

[bridgit]

56. the big C is a mean mis-treater, my brother Willy died from prostate cancer...

a little over 1 year ago; it went into remission, then came back, then he just let it all go at 52 so young my green eyed, wavy strawberry blond lady killer of a fond brother, Willy...44 is too young to die, i am sorry for your, and her family's loss, please convey my condolences

giving, trash-talking realist' are hard to come by these days

[Breeze54]

57. Sonya sounds like a great person and friend, Swag....

I'm so sorry for your and our loss... :hug:

[mike_c]

58. what a wonderful eulogy....

I'm sorry for your loss, but it sounds like it was a blessing to know her.