In Loving Memory of Sonja Totiana Pelton (Sillanpa) June 5, 1942 – July 5, 2023

Our beloved mother, Sonja, slipped into eternity on July 5, 2023, surrounded by the love she spent a lifetime giving away.

Born June 5, 1942, she grew up in the shadow of the Cathedral of St. Paul, auburn curls bouncing as she skipped to school in her checkered dress and shiny shoes. That little girl never lost her wonder - she carried it into the 24 historical romance novels she wrote and published and on every ordinary day, turning grocery trips into adventures and quiet evenings into sacred moments.

She married the love of her life in 1962, John H. Pelton, young and fearless, together they built a home that felt like sunrise. Three children – John H. Pelton II (son), Lisa J. Pelton (daughter), Suzanne Singh (daughter) - grew up wrapped in her gentle, fierce love. Later, grandchildren and great-grandchildren became her greatest delight. She saved every photo of all her family and children and grandchildren and kept them close to her heart. She saved letters from dad when he was in the Navy and from her mother over the years. Her rooms were filled with the boundless love she held in her heart for us.

Mom was a writer at heart - her journals filled with prayers, dreams, and quiet wisdom. She saw beauty where others saw ordinary, and her pen whispered hope even on the hardest days. She loved to be outside in her gardens, loved her cats dearly, loved iced mochas with oat milk (one pump only), family gatherings loud with laughter, and the way sunlight lit up her children’s faces.

She was our safe place— the one who listened without hurry, who held our hands when words failed, who prayed for us by name every night.

Her faith in Jesus was quiet but unshakable, her kindness boundless, her love was the kind that sparkled like sunshine in our hearts.

She is survived by her devoted children named above, Grandchildren, Jeffrey D. LeBeau, Jennifer L. LeBeau, Jonathan E. Nelson, Jesse T. Nelson, Nicole Mohamed (Hoffman), Shawn Mayer, William Mayer, and great-grandchildren, Lillian L. LeBeau, Azalea Arcand, Daniel LeBeau, Dylan LeBeau, Connor Mayer, Hannah Mayer, Morgan Mayer, Amber Mayer, Olivia Mayer, Jenna Osman, Nasra Mohamed, Seid Mohamed and Yasmin Mohamed, and more - whose lives are forever softer because she was in them. All brought her the purest joy throughout her life.

Now reunited with Dad, her eternal partner, we imagine them dancing under endless summer skies, free from pain, together again.

A celebration of her life will be held at a private gathering. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to cancer research or animals (cats) in need.

Mom, we do not say goodbye. We say thank you—for every prayer, every meal shared, every spoken worry because you wanted us safe, and every “I love you” whispered just because. The porch light stays on, Mom. We’ll see you when our story joins yours. With all our love, Your children and grandchildren.

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