Sona V. (Kalfaian) Ahlijian, of Cranston, passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2017. Daughter of the late Yervant and Ankine (Ekmeckjian) Kalfaian, Sona was born on January 1, 1920 in Istanbul, Turkey after her parents survived the Armenian Genocide. Sona came to America in 1930 and settled in Providence. She took up residence in Cranston in 1946.

Sona was the devoted mother of Gregory Ahlijian of Eugene Oregon, and Sondra Pitts and her husband Thomas of Cranston. She was the loving grandmother of Shanna Treveloni and her wife Jaclyn, and great - grandmother of Jacob and Alexandra. She also leaves a nephew, Aram Kalfaian and his wife Jessica of East Greenwich, and a niece Col. Karen Johnson (Ret.) and her husband Ronald of Klamath Falls, Oregon. She raised four generations of boxers who brought much joy to her and her family.

Sona graduated from Central High School in Providence in 1940. She served as captain of the cheerleading squad, was voted "Miss Central High", and was so active in school activities that she earned the title of "Best Citizen of Central High" in her senior yearbook.

Sona participated in every aspect of the school lives of her children. She was an active member of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church and its Women's Guild. At various times she was also an active member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the International Institute of Rhode Island, and the Signet Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Her love of Nature and wildlife was reflected in many of the organizations she joined and supported: the Rhode Island Zoological Society, the Nature Conservancy, Friends of Animals and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, where she was a volunteer in the education department for over 30 years. Her garden was a sanctuary for her many feathered friends. Sona was a life-long sports enthusiast, faithfully following her Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics.

To the end our mother was young at heart. Her positive attitude, warmth, hospitality, thoughtfulness and generosity will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Sona's funeral will be held on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 9:45am from The URQUHART -MURPHY Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, with services at St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence at 11:00am. Burial will be in North Burial Ground in Providence. Calling hours are from 3-6pm on Sunday, November 19, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sona's Memory will be deeply appreciated to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, to Hospice Care of VNA of Care New England, or to St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.

 

View/Sign Guestbook