Sophia M. "Sonny" O'Neill

O'NEILL, SOPHIA M. " SONNY" Sophia "Sonny" Morris O'Neill of Branford passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at CT Hospice in Branford. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 53 years, William F. O'Neill in 2006. Sonny was born March 2, 1926 to John and Mariantha Gamogiani Moutzouris (Morris) and was a resident of Branford for most of her 86 years. She is a graduate of Branford High School, class of 1942, and also a graduate of Larson Junior College in New Haven, which later became Quinnipiac University. After more than 40 years of dedicated service to Yale University, Sonny retired from the Institute of Far Eastern Languages, a job she truly enjoyed. Sonny and her husband, Bill, celebrated life and lived it to the fullest. They traveled extensively, visiting many places throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and vacationed in Canada, the Caribbean, and many European countries. Sonny was a lifelong member of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in New Haven, now located in Orange. She was very active in the Branford community. She enjoyed volunteering and helping others in need. Sonny was a longtime member and office holder in several clubs and organizations, including the Branford Women's Club and the Garden Club. As the family knew, Sonny was born to shop, and was known as a "Fashionista" long before the term became popular. She was definitely no stranger to clothing stores in Connecticut and New York. Sonny was a loving and generous person, who donated to a host of charities and organizations. She greatly enjoyed shopping and giving gifts to her family, including her nephews, their spouses and children, and her many friends and associates at Yale. Sonny is survived by her loving sister, Evelyn O'Neill of Branford, nephews, Arnold (Linda) Schloemann of Virginia Beach, VA; John (Pam) Morris of Fairfax Station, VA; William J. (Penny) O'Neill, III, of Branford; and John J. (Joyce) O'Neill of Farifax, VA. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mildred Morris of Ashburn, VA, and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Harry Morris. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, December 28th, from 5 - 8 PM at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 am at the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford. Should friend's desire, memorial contributions may be sent to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford or the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, 749 East Main St., Branford, CT 06405. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.