Ms. Sonja Monique West

Growing up as the youngest sibling, she was always a firecracker full of energy and had a special knack for spending time with her many nephews, whom she loved being around daily.

As a teenager, Sonja gave her life to Christ and remained steadfast in her Christian faith throughout her life. She graduated from San Bernardino High School and later continued her education at San Bernardino Valley College. During her early college years, Sonja worked at Laidlaw School Bus Company. It was during this time that she developed a deep love for helping others. While working as

a bus driver, Sonja welcomed her two children, Sekeia (Ladybug) and Derek (Chief). As a single mother, she was determined to provide a better life for them and carried big dreams of taking care of her family.

Inspired by watching her sisters, Ola and Doris (Marie), thrive in the nursing field, Sonja decided to pursue a career in healthcare. However, before her journey could fully begin, she was diagnosed in 1999 with a medical condition that nearly took her life. True to her resilient spirit, Sonja fought through the challenge and prevailed, eventually graduating and becoming a Psychiatric Technician.

In 2001, Sonja began working at Patton State Hospital, where she would faithfully serve for 23 years until her retirement. During her time there, she was diagnosed with Lupus, a condition that once again threatened her life. Despite her health challenges, Sonja refused to let them define or limit her. She continued to persevere, traveling, encouraging others to pursue their dreams, and living life as if nothing could hold her back.

During retirement, Sonja cherished the opportunity to spend more time with her family and friends. She often said she didn’t fully understand why God had spared her life so many times, but she believed it was because she still had an assignment. Sonja took that calling seriously, always making time to help those around her. If you knew Sonja, you knew that her greatest pride and joy was being a mother and grandmother. She loved sharing stories of her faith and health journey and the many milestones her family was reaching.

Sonja was everyone’s favorite aunt, friend, advice giver, confidant, and cheerleader. She had a smile and personality that could brighten any room and lift anyone’s spirits. Most of all,Sonja will be remembered for her generosity, her quiet way of being the life of the party, and her ability to “tell you how she really feels”—even if you didn’t ask.Sonja was preceded in death by her parents Leon and Leola West and siblings Ola West-Campbell and Bennie West-Patterson.

Sonja leaves behind her to cherish her memory her two children, Sekeia West of Fontana, California and Derek Shaw of Barstow, California. Two granddaughters Alonie and Aire Shaw of Barstow,

California. Siblings Wiley West and Doris West of San Bernardino, California. A host of nieces, nephews. Great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.