August 13, 1950 – August 2, 2026
In loving memory of Sonja Irene Wainio who passed away peacefully Sunday, August 2, 2026, with her girls by her side at the DRHC after a courageous battle with ALS.
Sonja was born August 13, 1950, in Port Arthur ON. She grew up in Sunshine and eventually fell in love and married the boy next door.
In 1981 she moved with her family to Dryden where she lived until her passing.
Sonja was very proud of her Finnish heritage and the SISU and work ethic that came with it. Mom was a firm believer in a job worth doing is a job worth doing well.
She proved this in her jobs, from being a dental assistant to managing the dental office. Being an EFF to managing the hose plant at the MNR and lastly starting as the Executive Assistant to being the Executive Director of NTAB.
The job she loved most was being a Mom and Grannie. We always knew we could count on her for advice and support both solicited and unsolicited. She was the backbone of our family, and her presence will be missed. Our dad used to joke that he was the head of the household, but mom was the neck that turned him.
Sonja is lovingly survived by her 4 daughters Melissa Wainio, Stacey Wainio, Sarah Wainio and Kristina (Dwayne) Liddicoat, her grand babies Liam (Kaitlin) Wainio-Rentz, Andrew (Madison Talbot) Rowat and Emily and Patrick Liddicoat, her “adopted” kids Wayne Wicklund and Sherry (Julian) Buurke, brother Sven (Violet) Hintikka, brothers in law Kaarlo Kaarela and Werner Maute, sisters in law Sandra (Henry) Legros and Kathy (Dale) Portelance as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Sonja was predeceased by her husband Ernie, parents Meimi and Eino, in laws Helvi and Anton, sisters Bertha (Leo) Niittynen, Sylvia (Harry) Wicklund, brother Larry Hintikka, sisters in law Helen Kaarela and Susan Maute, and brothers in law Richard Wainio and Bernard Wainio.
A very special thanks to Dr Kerri Wilson-Smith, nurses Anna, Olivia, Laura, Riley and all the angels on the hill for making Mom’s last days comfortable and us feeling supported.
We are blessed to have the nurses we have in our community.
A Memorial Service will be held at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 175 Cecil Ave. Dryden ON, on Friday, August 14th at 2pm with Pastor Carl Thiele presiding. Interment at a later date.
Donations may be made to Second Chance Pet Network or Our Saviour Lutheran Church through Aurora Funeral Services.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.aurorafuneralservices.ca/obituaries/sonja-wainio
Arrangements entrusted to Aurora Funeral Services, 304 Kennedy Road, Site 202, Comp 39, RR3, Dryden, ON P8N 3G2
