Sonya Marie Esteves

Sonya was the beloved daughter of the late David Adler and Rachel (Espinoza) Adler, who survives her, along with the late David Row, Rachel’s partner of many years. She was also loved as a daughter by her in-laws who survives her, Tony Esteves Sr. and Ruth Esteves. She shared an inseparable bond with her husband who was her best friend and high school sweetheart, Tony Esteves, with whom she was married for 29 years. Together, they raised their two children, Taylor Esteves and Tony Esteves Jr., who were the center of her world. Being a mother was her greatest joy and life’s purpose—she embraced the role with boundless love, devotion, and selflessness.

Sonya had a deep appreciation for nature and found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. She loved walking along the beach every chance she got to go, basking in the sun, and tending to her flower garden while listening to classic ’70s and ’80s music. Traveling and exploring new places brought her immense joy, as did attending concerts and birdwatching—especially hummingbirds, which she adored.

Those who knew Sonya will remember her as a kind and thoughtful soul who always had a smile on her face. She was deeply empathetic, supportive, and loyal to those she loved. Her spunk, sense of style, and vibrant spirit left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Sonya’s warmth and unwavering love will live on in her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her. May her memory bring comfort to those who loved her.

To honor Sonya's wishes, there will be no funeral service.

The following is a tribute written by Sonya’s son Tony Jr.

A Title

Mother is a title, a title that means something different to every one of us.

Those that raise us give meaning to that title.

I was blessed to have a Mother that defined what that title means with love and compassion.

A Mom who never let her kids feel less than or neglected.

One who was always consistent and could be depended upon.

A Mother who showed unconditional love through her words and actions.

A positive force that would raise you up when you were down.

A Mom who always had a smile on her face that she would spread to those around her.

This is a title but to mine it was more.

She looked at my sister and I as her greatest achievement.

She saw us as her life, her purpose.

She never let us forget how she viewed us and how much she wished we could see ourselves the way she did.

She never left doubt when you looked to the crowd to find those that supported you.

She made all of our problems her problems too so that we wouldn’t face them alone.

To me Sonya is a Mother, but she was also a Partner, a Daughter, and a Friend.

With each title she took on she carried it with the same degree of respect and passion as she did with being a Mother.

She was a blessing in every title she carried yet even that doesn’t do enough to describe her true impact.

Thank you Mom for being more than a title.