WARD, Sonia Fay - 78, Truro, died peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in 1936, Sonia grew up in Amersham, England, with her younger sister, Lynda. The daughters of devoted parents, Sonia often reflected on her happy childhood, despite the hardships of the Second World War. Sonia Darvell met Sidney Ward at a dance and after a long courtship, they were married in 1957. The newlyweds set up home in Luton, where Sid worked as a tool and die maker with Vauxhall Motors. Their passion was motorcycles as they toured England on Nortons and Triumphs in the early years of their marriage. In 1961, a sidecar was fitted to their bike to accommodate the arrival of their first son, Kevin. Two years later, their motorcycling days were behind them when Peter arrived. While Sid worked, Sonia ran the corner shop they owned, selling everything from eggs to sweets. The couple fulfilled a lifelong dream in 1970 when they immigrated to Canada, settling near Windsor, Ontario. Sonia embraced her new country, working outside the family home as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant, then later as a bank teller before becoming the loans manager at a branch in Harrow, Ontario, but Sonia’s first priority was always her children. She was the one who got up at 5 a.m. to drive the boys to hockey practice, regardless of the weather. She attended all their games, armed with a cowbell. She was also a fixture at every soccer game. The boys never wanted for anything. When Kevin took up music, he had a new saxophone and as Pete moved up the ranks in the local minor hockey system, he always had top of the line goalie pads. Sonia was big-hearted and liked to entertain. Her daughter-in-law, Pam remembers the famous spreads and lavish decorations at Christmas, as well as Sonia’s generous gifts. She was also tough, surviving a battle with cancer almost 30 years ago that left her disfigured but unbowed as she tackled life with the same zeal despite the disability the illness left her with. Sid and Sonia would later move to Toronto before retiring in Truro to be near Pete and their only grandchild, Sarah, who they adored. When Sid died in 2004, Sonia lost her soulmate but not her enthusiasm for life. She lived independently until her death. Her sons have been touched by the number of people in Truro who recall their mother as the feisty little lady they remember power-walking around town. Sonia died suddenly, but the last weeks of her life were filled with a trip to find great strawberry shortcake; a visit from a childhood friend of Pete’s; a new TV set up by Pete's fiancée, Sonya; and Sarah’s graduation from high school, a moment she cherished and that gave her a chance to dress up in her finest for family photos. A celebration of Sonia’s life will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, at the Royal Canadian Legion (Lower Lounge), Branch 26, 42 Brunswick Street, Truro. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 26, Truro (Building Fund) or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Sonia’s obituary on-line and selecting “Send A Condolence” at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com