Sonia Gale Bram

Sonny was born in 1919 and lived through a century of extraordinary historical events. She was smart, loving, creative, always smiling, a voracious reader, loved chocolate, and was always ready with a joke. Sonny did not have an easy childhood losing her mother when Sonny was in high school. Her family struggled through the Depression. Despite all odds Sonny managed to get an education and succeed. By 1940 she had met and married Bernard Bram, a Captain in the U.S. Army. They moved from military base to base around the country until Bernard was sent to the Philippines during World War II. When Bernard returned from the Philippines, Sonny worked and supported herself and her husband allowing Bernard to regain his health. Bernard worked as a textile engineer and they settled in Hempstead, N.Y. and later moved to North Bellmore, N.Y.

Sonny was active in the early civil rights movement, joining the NAACP, despite outrage from many in the community. She tutored handicapped children, was active in PTA, Hadassah, school curriculum, charitable organizations, as well as taking care of a home and raising two sons, Andrew and Gary. She always seemed to know and do the right thing, regardless of the consequences.

Upon retirement Sonny and Bernard moved to New Port Richey, Florida. She enjoyed golf, exercise, ceramics, and entertaining family and friends. Bernard passed away in 1987 and Sonny moved to Tucson in 1991. There she continued to fill the needs of family and friends unselfishly. The list of her activities and achievements are too great to list here. Everyone who met her, loved her! Her morals, intelligence, outlook, sympathy, compassion, and wonderful sense of humor all contributed to her being so special to all. Maybe her greatest gift of all was that she made everyone feel that they were important and loved!

She was predeceased by her husband Bernard Bram and sister Thelma Teifel. She will be lovingly missed by her two sons: Andrew and his wife Barbara Bram, Gary and his wife Denise Bram. Her grandchildren: Jason Bram, Allyson Bram Mahoney, Nicole Bram, Ryan Bram, and Shannon Castro. Her great grandchildren: Armand, Andres, Rachel, Jackson, Gavin, and Zane.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations in Sonny’s name to Casa de la Luz Foundation (https://casafoundation.org/) who provided great comfort and care to Sonny, Gary and Denise.

Memorial will be on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson.