Margaret Ryan Sonney

Margaret Ryan Sonney, 95, was born in April 1915, and passed away Tuesday Nov. 16, 2010, in Paso Robles. Her family immigrated from New Zealand to the United States in 1920, and she grew up in Los Angeles with her parents, Nora Herlihy Ryan and Michael Ryan, younger brothers, John and Pat, and sister, Ann. At age 15, she became a United States citizen on May 9, 1930. Margaret worked hard at Schaffer''s Cafeteria in downtown LA with her mother during the Depression years to help her family survive. She met the love of her life, Dan Sonney, and they were married April 7, 1937, and had celebrated 65 very happy years together at the time of Dan''s death in 2002. Margaret had a sweet nature and enjoyed sweets, sewing, traveling, fishing and her beloved TOP Club. She was a stay-at-home mom and loved raising her four daughters. She was full of life with a wonderful sense of humor. Dan was involved in the motion picture business and both Margaret and Dan belonged to Variety Clubs International, which was Hollywood at its best. Margaret enjoyed the many star-studded events Hollywood had to offer. For the past six years she has lived in Paso Robles with her daughter, Rosa Lee and grandson, Peter. A highlight for her for the past two years has been attending the Adult Day Center in Templeton, where she would socialize with her peers while coping with dementia. The family would like to thank Hospice Partners of the Central Coast for all their help in making Margaret''s final days comfortable. Margaret is survived by her brother, John Ryan; daughters Vivian Kolhoff, Rosa Lee Sonney, Kathy Hodel and Judy Sonney; grandchildren Daniel Kolhoff, Barbara Kolhoff Peter Sonney, Don Jr. Hodel and Carrie Pascoe; and great-grandchildren Romin, Amir, Kira and Kyle. She was predeceased by her brother, Pat Ryan; and sister, Ann Ryan. A private memorial service will be held in Paso Robles. Kuehl-Nicolay Funerals 238-4383 Paso Robles