Eva Melitta (Hubert) Sonne

Eva Melitta Sonne quietly passed away on February 17, 2014, finally succumbing to cancer after a six month struggle.  She died in her home, which she loved so much.

Eva Melita Sonne (nee Hubert) was known as Millie by family and friends.  She was born in Langenbielau/Reichenbach, Germany on April 10, 1927.  She grew up during the tumultuous time of WWII.  Her childhood home was taken over by Nazi officials during the war, and after the war ended and new borders were drawn, her home became a part of Poland.

Millie went on to become a dental assistant in Hamburg, Germany.  In Hamburg, in 1949, she met Clarence Melvin Sonne, a Foreign Service officer, when he came in with a tooth problem.  A year later, they were married and that marriage lasted for 62 years until Mel's passing in 2012.  Millie spent the first two decades of her marriage as a diplomat's wife and raising three you boys while traveling around the globe, living in Mexico, Austria, Italy and Saudi Arabia.  After launching all of her children from the nest, she went on to have another career.  Fluent in German, English and Italian, she became a tour guide for Germans and Italians in Washington, DC and then became an escort/interpreter for visiting German dignitaries for the U.S. State Department.

In 1976, Millie and Mel bought a farm outside of Chanysville after Mel's retirement from the Foreign Service.  They spent their time there raising trees and vegetables, and entertaining grandchildren.  They continued to travel extensively, visiting many exotic places across all seven continents.  In 1998, they gave up the rigors of farm life and built a home in Bedford, where they both stayed until the end of their lives.

Millie was an accomplished skier, tennis player and Life Master in the game of bridge.  She was also an active member of the community, working with the Everett Free Library and the Bedford County EMS for a number of years.

Millie is survived by her three sons, Peter, Phillip and Neil, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  Additionally, Millie still has family in Germany and is survived by her brother Udo Hubert and several nieces and nephews.

Millie was an amazing woman, tremendous fighter and faced adversity with great success and results.  Twice having beaten cancer, the third time was finally just too much for her.  She is much loved and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be scheduled for the summer.  Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Millie to the Bedford County Humane Society, 1108 Lutzville Rd, Everett, PA 15537.

Arrangements entrusted to Louis Geisel Funeral Home, Bedford.

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