…of Tewksbury; 89
TEWKSBURY - Mrs. Sonja "Tantie" (Boikow) Vornberger, age 89, died peacefully at her Tewksbury home on Sunday morning, June 21, after a short period of declining health, surrounded in the loving care of her family and friends. She was the devoted wife of Walter Vornberger, who died in 1987.
Sonja was born in East Germany, in February 1926, a daughter of the late Alexander and Frieda Boikow, and was raised in East Germany. After her marriage to Walter, they emigrated to the U.S. in 1956, and settled in Cambridge. Later on they moved to Somerville, finally settling in Tewksbury in 1973, where Sonja has remained.
Sonja worked as an administrative assistant and secretary for Harvard University’s Business School in Cambridge, and also at International Shoe Machine Corporation in Nashua, NH. Sonja was an avid swimmer who enjoyed her pool as well as the beach, and loved all things outdoors, especially skiing, golfing and walking. She was an accomplished gardener and a terrific cook and baker, whose specialties included all things German. Afternoon coffee with special treats was a delightful part of her day, which she shared with friends and family. Sonja loved the company of dogs; she and Walter raised German Short Haired Pointers. Sonja traveled the world with Walter, and after his passing, she continued to enjoy many beautiful excursions and was intrigued by all the wonderful things she saw.
She leaves a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Karl F. and Margaret (Reinelt) Vornberger of Holderness, NH; four nieces, Virginia Sonja Robertson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Patricia Linda Vornberger of Cheverly MD, Christine Sylvia Arata and her husband Robert of Kingston, NH, Jennifer Ann Clancy and her husband Thomas of Littleton, MA; grand nephews, Evan Woss, Stephen Arata, Zachary Clancy; and dearest friends, Billy and Maryanne (Smith) Cliff of Tewksbury. She also leaves behind her sisters Erika Greyer and Regina Christner of Germany.
Sonja was predeceased by her brother, Anatoli Boikow, and her grand nephew, Erik Woss.
Memorial visiting hours will be held Saturday, June 27, 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. A Memorial Prayer service will follow at 12:00 Noon in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sonja’s beloved Crane Beach via The Trustees Of Reservations (Crane Beach). To donate by phone call 978.921.1944 x 8817 or donate online at http://www.thetrustees.org/donate tewksburyfuneralhome.com