Arno, Sonya C., 71, Sidney, Maine at Augusta, August 2, 2009. Visiting hours are from 5-8 p.m., August 9, at the Second Baptist Church of Sidney. A Funeral service will be held on August 10, at 10 a.m. Arrangements are in the care of the Plummer Funeral Home, Augusta.
SIDNEY, MAINE – Sonya C. Arno, age 71, of Cameron Dr., and formerly of Vinalhaven and New Sweden, died Sunday, August 2, 2009, at Maine General Medical Center, Augusta Campus, following a long illness. She was born in Corinna, ME on June 17, 1938, a daughter of the late Alphonzo and Doris (McKenney) Cookson.
Mrs. Arno was pre-deceased by two sisters: Althea Myrtie and Joyce Elnora Cookson.
She is survived by her beloved husband and soul mate of 53 years, Roland D. Arno of Sidney. Sonya died a few days shy of their 54th wedding anniversary. She also is survived by a son, Clarence R. Arno and his wife Jean of Dexter; two daughters: Rolanda J. Nadeau and her husband Norman of Augusta and Maureen M. Arno of Sidney; a sister, Charlotte Witham and her husband Robert of Hermon; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Arno was a graduate of Dexter High School.
She had been employed by China Lake Conference Center on South China, as well as Shop and Save in Dexter and Augusta.
Mrs. Arno touched the lives of many people. She devoted her life to her family, friends and any who needed her help. She was the President of the local American Baptist Women and State Coordinator for American Baptist Women White Cross for several years. She cooked for the shut-in residents of Vinalhaven while her husband Roland made the deliveries. Among all her accomplishments, she took the greatest pride in operating her own business as a Tupperware consultant. She obtained a management position with her recruited consultants working in her unit. Sonya achieved a position within the top ten dealers in the state of Maine. Sonya also taught Sunday School classes for the mentally disabled.
Sonya endured years of health issues and complications related to Diabetes that few could imagine. Through it all, she remained a strong and loving Christian woman and set a wonderful example for her family and friends of the beautiful person she was. Her passing leaves a great void but the stars shining down at night from heaven are brighter and more beautiful now that she is there.
Visiting hours are from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, at the Second Baptist Church of Sidney, River Rd., Sidney where a funeral service will be held on Monday, August 10, at 10 a.m. Burial and committal prayers will follow in the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta.
The family asks that donations be made to: American Diabetes Association, Portland-Auburn Maine Office, 80 Elm Street, Portland, ME 04101.
Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant Street, Augusta, Maine.
Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home website at www.plummerfh.com.
