Sonja Rose Canale, age 86 died peacefully on July, 6th, 2019 in her home in Fairfield California after a brief struggle with cancer.  Sonja was born on September 10, 1932 in Munich, Germany to August and Augusta Handl.  Growing up, Sonja attended a private Catholic boarding school and continued her education with a degree in Fashion Design.  She married Alvin Duerst in 1955 and together they came to the U.S. in 1956.  She prided herself on creating a house that was not only a loving home but a beautiful space as well.  Sonja enjoyed hosting and entertaining family and friends.   She remarried in 1966 to George Canale her beloved husband of 18 years.  For a number of years they resided in Spain. This provided a wonderful opportunity to travel extensively worldwide, Italy and Africa being some of their favorite destinations.   In addition to raising her two children; she was an active participant in raising her grandchildren as well.   She was predeceased by her beloved husbands Alvin and George, her sister Marichen and brother in law Erwin Schmidt, and her son in-law Kent Abel.  She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her son John, her daughter Sonja, her grandchildren Johnathan, Sonja, and Jenny, her great grandchildren, Travis and Marty, as well as her nephew Ralfi Schmidt and his wife Claudia.

A wife, a mother, a grandma too,

This is the legacy we have from you.

You taught us love and how to fight,

You gave us strength, you gave us might.

A stronger person would be hard to find,

And in your heart, you were always kind.

You fought for us all in one way or another,

Not just as a wife not just as a mother.

For all of us you gave your best,

Now the time has come for you to rest.

So go in peace, you've earned your sleep,

Your love in our hearts,

We'll eternally keep.

Sonja will begin her final voyage in Germany.

A "Celebration of life" will be held on September 10 ^th , Sonja's birthday.