Marcia M. Sonnenberg

Marcia Bernice Morton Sonnenberg lived a full, happy, and giving life. On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, she peacefully passed away in her home. She is survived by her daughter Gail (Jerry) Dance, son Bruce Sonnenberg; granddaughter Marla (Gary) LoBue-Nelson, grandson David (Aimee) Sonnenberg, and three great grandchildren, Cooper Nelson, Sydney Nelson, and Caelan Sonnenberg. She is predeceased by her husband, Harold Sonnenberg.

Marcia was a local girl, born in Edenvale, California, and the second child of Victor and Doris (Coats) Morton. There, she grew up amidst orchards and open spaces. Her grandparents were immigrant orchardists (Scotland & Denmark) and her father was a fruit buyer. Her world was truly the Valley of the Heart’s Delight.

Marcia attended Oak Grove Grammar School, Lincoln High School, and for a brief time, San Jose State College. But all that schooling ended in 1945 when she met Hal Sonnenberg. They met on a blind date where they went ice skating and the rest, as they say, is history. Marcia and Hal enjoyed a busy life and were avid bridge and tennis players. They loved to play tennis at the San Jose Swim & Racket Club and volley ball at the YMCA where they made many friends. Traveling too was a big part of their lives. When their children were young, they took many family road trips across America that included trips to visit Hals’s family in Minnesota. In retirement, though, they began traveling in earnest. They sometimes traveled with friends but often went off on their own. They loved to travel to elder hostels, and sometimes, just flew to a military base in their country of choice and set out from there. Marcia, our first family genealogist, kept a lifelong list of every trip by year. Their favorite place by far was Hawaii where they spent a week each year at Bellows military base right on the water. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage until Hal’s death in 2008.

Volunteer work was always a part of Marcia’s life too. When her kids were young, she worked through a local social sorority, Delta Omega, to help children with disabilities. Later, she started volunteering at her church and faithfully produced its weekly bulletin. Still later, she volunteered in her church’s clothing ministry. She brought home used clothes to mend, wash and iron for a free church “store”. Then once a week she staffed the store to help those in need find the perfect item of clothing.

Marcia had a deep faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. She and the Sonnenberg family were known to attend church services every possible Sunday every year of their lives. Their faithfulness was rewarded and Marcia was truly blessed. Now it’s time for her to join her family and claim her final reward.

A special thanks to all the wonderful caregivers that helped Marcia in the past few years and supported our family. In particular, the family wishes to extend extra gratitude and love to Mom’s caregiver, Suli. Your daily care and loving prayers sustained us all.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life will take place Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 11:00 am. The service will be held in the Chapel of Roses at Oak Hill Cemetery, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in honor of Marcia to Hospice of the Valley, https://santaclaravalleyhospice.org, or Meet the Challenge P.O. Box 23247, San Jose, CA 95153 https://www.meetthechallenge.net.