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Sonya Peres Obituary
Her son-in-law and physician, Dr. Raphael Walden, told Israel Radio she died peacefully in her sleep.
Born Sonya Gelman in Ukraine, she emigrated to British-ruled Palestine as a child. She met Peres in high school and they married in 1945. Prior to her marriage, she served as a British army nurse in a military hospital in Cairo.
The couple had three children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In her later years, Mrs. Peres quietly volunteered for numerous organizations in Israel.
Throughout her husband's decades-long career, she determinedly stayed out of the public eye. When Peres became president in 2007 and moved to Jerusalem, she remained in their apartment in Tel Aviv.
In a revealing interview on his 87th birthday last year, Peres called his years as president the happiest and most fulfil ling of his political career.
"But on the personal level I'm not as happy, because I really miss Sonya," he told the Yediot Ahronot daily. "She was the love of my life and has remained the love of my life."
Peres' office said he heard the news of her passing in Jerusalem following a meeting with the French foreign minister and rushed to their Tel Aviv home.
Shortly before Peres became president in 2007, Sonya was briefly hospitalized with a heart condition. But she was not known to be ill in recent years.
"She was a symbol of modesty, simplicity and the love of others," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement. "She shunned the limelight all these years, preserved her privacy and worked tirelessly to help the needy. All who knew her admired and appreciated her."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Peres to offer his condolences and offer praise for Mrs. Peres.
Her funeral is scheduled for Friday.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
18 Entries
Javier Benedi
September 3, 2012
What a great loss to humanity but I feel so sad for her husband. I know he loved her so much. I wish I had a magic wand to make him feel better. Respectfully a humble spanish citizen who has always admired your family??
Donnie Corbett
January 25, 2011
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Y.A.
January 23, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 23, 2011
TO THE SONYA PERES FAMILY,I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL TIME.PLEASE FIND COMFORT IN READING PSALMS 37;11.A.W.HOUSTON,TX.
How you can show support
January 23, 2011
MAY YOUR HAPPY MEMORIES WITH SONYA BRING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY COMFORT DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. SHERRY AND HAROLD WOLFE ...USA
January 22, 2011
Behind any great man there is allways a fantastic lady, there she was, and she wil allways be. My deepest condolence to all the family. Robert Watkin
Maria Wita
January 21, 2011
Mama Sonia Peres
Good Bye. Shaloom.
Andy
January 21, 2011
Z"L ...
Pray for Israel.
B'shalom.
Ann Ingram
January 21, 2011
It's not easy dealing with the loss of someone so dear. May the peace of Our Heavenly Father through prayer safeguard your hearts and thinking to help you cope without him, now and in the days ahead. Rely on the strength only the Creator can give
January 21, 2011
during this time we pray for the Peres family & the people of Israel. thank God for her life as an example to all of us
Rev. Fahed AbuAkel
Harry & Fran. Stevens
January 21, 2011
To the family and friends of first lady of Israel, Sonya Peres,may God comfort you in this time of sorrow,may her life be an example for us all.
Stan Newborn
January 21, 2011
Sonya was a Jewish woman of valor and a true mensch believing solely in the Old Testament as a Jew.
Rest in Peace.
Shalom,
Stan
G Shifflett
January 20, 2011
GOD will bless the First Lady.
Mary Jeffers
January 20, 2011
So sorry for the loss of Sonya Peres, the first lady of Israel.
One Yid To Another
January 20, 2011
HaMakom Y'Nachiem Et'Chem B'Toch Avelei Tzion V'Yerushalayim.
May Hashem comfort you together with the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
aguadilla borinquen
January 20, 2011
My condololences to the family
Victoria VZj
January 20, 2011
Condolences to
Sonya Peres family
and friends who have
admired her work
rip ~sonya~
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