Sonia Stathes

1929 - 2021

November 11, 1929 - June 13, 2021 Sonia Stathes fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, June 13th, surrounded by loving family. She was born in New York City to Athena and Anastasio Simionidis and lived in Athens, Greece in her early childhood. The family immigrated to America to escape the Nazi invasion in Greece and settled in Los Angeles. Sonia graduated from Woodbury University and, after earning her degree, worked as a secretary for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. She later landed a job as the executive assistant to Warren Cowan at Rogers & Cowan, a prestigious public relations firm in Beverly Hills, where she eventually became a publicist. Over her 40-year career, Sonia handled the publicity for such high-profile celebrity clients as Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Sophia Loren, Steve McQueen, Merv Griffin, Danny Kaye, Englebert Humperdinck, Don Knotts, Connie Stevens, Catherine Bach, Sid Caesar and Buddy Hackett, among many others. She married her husband, Nick Stathes, in 1958 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She remained an active member of the community throughout her life and volunteered her time to the St. Sophia Philoptochos Society, serving as a board member as well as on various committees. They had two sons, Chris and Nick Jr. Sonia and Nick lived life to the fullest and enjoyed spending time with family and traveling the world. Throughout the years she particularly enjoyed large, holiday celebrations with her extended family and was actively involved with all her grand and greatgrandchildren, whom she loved and adored. Going on camping trips with them – especially to the beach, which was her favorite place – and attending their school events brought her great joy. Sonia was a yoga enthusiast and continued to practice it regularly, even after reaching her 90s. She had a vivacious personality and a zest for life; she lived for social outings with her friends as well as attending parties. Sonia was preceded in death by her father Anastasio (1971); mother Athena (1987), Nick (2018), her husband of 60 years; and son Nick Jr. (2020). She is survived by her son Chris (Amy); granddaughter Christina (Sascha); granddaughter Brittany (Steve); great-grandchildren Charlie, Bowie, Denver and Stevie Beth; sister-in-law Virginia (Rick), nieces Lisa (Craig) and Maria (Phil); nephew Kurt; grandniece Kailee and grandnephew Jake (Jasmine). Funeral services will be held at Noon on Friday, July 23rd, at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes – Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.