Sonia Kile Neff

Sonia Kile (Robinson) Neff 79, of Tucson, Arizona passed peacefully in her sleep at TMC hospital in the early morning hours of January 24, 2011. Sonia, a loving mother and grandmother, was born in Port Arthur, Texas on May 19, 1931 to Roy and Nina Kile. At an early age she moved with her family to Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania where she graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1949. Sonia graduated from Longwood College in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. Her first job after graduation was with the Beech-Nut Baby Food Company as a nutritionist. Sonia married Ralph W. Robinson II of Elkins Park, Pa. in 1954. A year later she gave birth to her first of five children. Sonia was an extremely devoted mother who was very involved in her children's education and activities, ensuring that all went on to graduate from college. It was during those years that Sonia would first become active in the church, teaching Sunday school at St. James Lutheran Church in Chalfont, Pa. In 1977, Sonia moved to Tucson and took a job with JC Penney. She started on the sales floor, but soon used her talents in the advertising and merchandising departments. Sonia would go on to work for JC Penney for 20 years until her retirement in 1997. Sonia was a member of Tanque Verde Lutheran Church in Tucson. Over the years, she was a dedicated volunteer at TVLC and made many friends through the church. Sonia had a strong faith and served God as a Sunday school teacher, head of the Altar Guild, First Holy Communion teacher and director, Stephen Minister, and was the TVLC's first Director of Confirmation. Sonia met her second husband, JC Neff, through the church and they were married in October 1998. They shared 10 wonderful years together until JC's death on February 15, 2008. Sonia was a remarkable woman who knew how to make the best out of any situation. Family and friends often commented about her amazing energy, strength, courage and compassion. Sonia is survived by her five loving children, their spouses, and grandchildren, Bruce and Linay Robinson of Chalfont, Pa., their children Jonathan, his wife Jennifer, and Christa; Terry and Melissa Levine of Tucson, AZ, their children Joshua and Jeremy; Kent and Karen Robinson of Quakertown, Pa., their children Lauren and Gregory; Robert and Julie Robinson of Camarillo, Ca., their children Brooklyn and Paige; Marcelle and Celso Doria of Sao Paulo, Brazil, their children Alex, Lucas, and Juliana; her brother Roy and his wife Miriam Kile of Tucson and their five loving children; her former husband, Ralph W. Robinson, of Interlachen, Fl. Sonia was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Marissa Robinson. A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, 8625 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sonia's memory to the Confirmation Ministry at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, 8625 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ 85749-8918. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Dodge Chapel.