PRAY, Sonia

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Sonia Pray a lecturer, historian and advocate for the elderly died passed away Sept. 5, 2009. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on Dec. 25, 1917, to Peter and Anna Mojeiko. She was a first generation American, and spent her early years there. She married David C. Pray Aug. 6, 1945. She lived in Taylor, Mich., for 20 years before she retired from the city of Taylor on Jan. 7, 1978, and moved to Lake Havasu City, where she resided for the past 31 years. The mayor appointed Sonia as its first chairperson of the Library Commission and as the city’s historian she was appointed as co-chairperson of the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration. Sonia touched many lives in her years of church work with the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. She served on the Education Committee, the Christian Relations Committee and as the Episcopal Chaplains assistant at the Detroit Medical Center. On June 14, 1984, the Bishop of Arizona the Right Reverend Joseph Heistand commissioned Sonia for her ministry as Lay Worship Leader. She was assigned to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Parker where she served until 2002. Sonia was involved in volunteer activities her entire life, including hospital volunteer, mobile meals for shut-ins, American Cancer Society regional facilitator and was extremely active in AARP. She served on the Mohave County solid waste advisory council committee, the Lake Havasu school unification committee, the study committee involving cities and towns as to the feasibility of a charter government, community college foundation, civil service budget committee, and the governor’s council on aging. She was a recipient of the State of Michigan 79th Legislature special tribute award, City of Taylor Outstanding Service Award, the American Cancer Society’s National Recognition Ruby Award, and was a delegate to the White House conference on the aging. She is survived by three sons and one daughter; David P. (Pam) Pray of Clinton, Mich.; John (Janet) Pray of Highland, Mich.; Thomas (Tamara) Pray and Ann Pray of Lake Havasu City; five grandchildren; Kristin Baumann, Robyn (Chad) Olson, Lauren Pray, Jessica (Eric) Johnson and Carla Pray, Mark (Richelle) Baylis, Katie (Matt) Dorr, Kelly Baylis; and six great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the children suggest honoring their mother with a donation to a needy family or open your hearts to others, especially the sick by calling or visiting them. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. today at Grace Episcopal Church. The Rev. David Richardson will offer words of comfort and inspiration. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.