Sunday, December 14, 2014 6:46 am

ROCHESTER - Sonia V. Cormier, 83, passed away Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital following a brief illness.

Born January 20, 1931 in Chisholm, Maine, she was the daughter of Arthur and Irena (Pelletier) Pepin.

Sonia had worked in many local shoe shops throughout her life.

She was a communicant of St. Leo's Catholic Church in Gonic. She enjoyed volunteering in various ways at the church, including the Mercy Circle. She also enjoyed cross stitching, crocheting and jigsaw puzzles.

Members of her family include her children Pauline Croteau and husband Charles of Strafford, NH; Patricia Edsall and husband David of Ellsworth, Maine; Diane McWilliams and husband Charles of Phippsburg, Maine; Richard Cormier of Rochester; Rachel Graham of Rochester; Mary Jane Gagne and husband Raymond of Rollinsford; and Suzanne Jolin and husband Mark of Rochester; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, her siblings Gertrude Gilbert of Rochester; Priscille Guilmette and Olivette Kennedy both of Somersworth; Norman Pepin of Berwick, Maine; and Andre Pepin, many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert Cormier in 2013.