Sonia A. (Kulish) Shea

Mrs. Sonia A. (Kulish) Shea, of Waltham, passed away on May 19, 2020 in the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley. She was 75. Sonia was born in Boston on November 8, 1944, the daughter of the late George and Sonia (Samoluk) Kulish. She was a graduate of Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing and until her retirement she worked as a registered nurse at Mass General Hospital in Boston for over thirty years. She was the beloved wife of the late John L. Shea and is survived by her family including her cousins, Carol (Samoluk) Dennington of Clinton, Walter Samoluk of Jensen Beach, Florida, George Samoluk of Sandwich, Thomas Samoluk of Andover, and Robert Samoluk of Quincy; Sonia was pre-deceased by her cousin the late Patricia (Samoluk) Rene and by her late uncle and aunt, Walter C. and Lillian Samoluk. Sonia, lovingly known as "Honey" and "Aunty Honey" within the family, also leaves her goddaughter Leigh Carpenter of Princeton and many cousins whom she adored. Growing up in the Mission Hill section of Boston, Sonia's father passed away suddenly when she was a youngster. She had a wonderfully close relationship throughout her life with her mother, Sonia (Sr.), with whom she had many special memories. An only child, Sonia was loved as an older sister by her six Samoluk cousins, with whom she and her mother shared a "double decker" home during her formative years. These were special years for Sonia and her cousins during which a lifetime of lives filled with love and affection for each other were formed. She and her late husband, John, settled in Waltham where they resided for over forty years. Sonia and John loved the fresh vegetables gathered from John's annual garden and spent countless hours together on their beautiful four-season porch. They loved to travel, with a special passion for Maine, where they frequently vacationed, as well as road trips to California, Florida, and Canada. And, there were also many years of memorable family vacations in Dennisport with her mother and the Samoluk family. Sonia was a voracious reader and read dozens of books per year. Sonia and John had amassed enough books to supply a small library. Sonia found a special joy each year in the holiday season and one of the highlights for her was hosting an annual family Christmas party at her home. She truly enjoyed that her family looked forward to the gathering and came back year after year to celebrate with her and John. Sonia's beautiful smile never shown brighter than when she was with her family, and John, in their home that was full of warmth and love. Funeral services and burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury are private. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452.