Sonia Miranda Aberilla left this world, swiftly and suddenly, to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 11, 2021 at 10:08pm.

She is survived by her sons Seferini, Sergei, and Shadrick, and also leaves behind siblings Noel Fernando, Ceferino Fernando Jr., Rodillo Fernando, and Florida née Mendoza Ko, as well as, many nieces and nephews. Being a very proud Lola, she especially loved her grandchildren: Eliza Jane, Sophia Grace, Sabrina Claire, and Sawyer Josef Salvador. Last but not least, she leaves behind "Cha-Cha," the family shih tzu. Sonia was predeceased by her husband Salvador by 24 hours.

Sonia was born March 21, 1944 to Ceferino E. Fernando and Angela C. Miranda, and was baptized on March 24, 1944. She went on to attend Zamboanga General Hospital School for Nursing, where she met the love of her life, Salvador. Both of them had the dream of one day coming to the United States to become citizens and practicing nursing as their medical profession. They married on May 4, 1968, and Sonia finally realized her American dream, becoming naturalized by the United States District Court in Chicago, IL on April 20, 1976.

The lady loved dancing the cha-cha-cha. Sonia would dance at family gatherings, and even took to teaching her middle son Sergei (Jovie) the basic steps that he remembers to this day. In recent years, she would be glued to the television watching "Dancing with the Stars," cheering on her favorite couple.

Sonia also loved being a spectator of women's figure skating, simply for the artistry of the athletes. Her all-time favorite was Kristi Yamaguchi, whom she cheered all the way to gold in the 1992 Olympics, held in Albertville, France.

She followed gymnastics, especially when her granddaughter Sophia began competing. Sonia absolutely looked forward to communications with her daughter-in-law Stacy, who shared all of the video clips of Sophia's performances. Sonia was a very proud Lola indeed.

Sonia cherished memories of her experiences with her loved ones. She took to scrapbooking, and made memorable photo albums for both family and friends. She truly loved capturing memories of her personal travels to Europe, the Middle East, and going anywhere and everywhere with her grandchildren.

Even during hard times, she looked to keep the family together, always. She made sure that all of her sons knew, "you don't throw away family."

Sonia was a God-fearing woman, who prayed daily, a mother and grandmother, fiercely protective of all those she loved and cared for, including her shih tzu "Cha-Cha." She was exceptionally fond of all of her grandchildren, and made it a point to spend whatever time she could with them, remotely or personally. In turn, she is truly loved by many, and will be sorely missed.

May God bless you and keep you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

A visitation will be held Monday, December 27, 2021 from 4:00pm - 9:00pm at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL. Relatives and friends are invited to meet directly at St. Daniel the Prophet, 101 W. Loop Rd., Wheaton, IL, for Mass on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at 11:00am. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking HERE . Afterwards, interment and chapel service will be held at Assumption Cemetery, 1S510 Winfield Rd., Wheaton, IL. This cemetery service will also be livestreamed by clicking HERE .

If you are unable to attend the services in person and would like a prayer card mailed to you, please fill out a form by clicking HERE .