Sonia Costales

Born in Santiago de Cuba to Dr. Cristobal Cuadras and Dolorez Gutierrez de Cuadras, Sonia grew up in a warm and lively household alongside her two younger sisters. In 1952, she married Edmundo Costales, a military officer, during the early stages of the Cuban Revolution—a time that would reshape her life and her homeland.

In 1968, Sonia, Edmundo, and their young daughter Aymee fled Cuba and immigrated to the United States. Arriving with little more than hope and determination, Sonia embraced the promise of American freedom and began working tirelessly to build a new life. In 1969, she welcomed her second daughter, Helena.

Despite the challenges of starting over, Sonia’s strength and perseverance laid the foundation for her daughters’ success—one in dentistry and the other in medicine. She was outspoken, witty, and deeply engaged in political conversation, but above all, she was devoted to her family.

Sonia was preceded in death by her parents and her former husband, Edmundo. She is survived by her sisters, Kyra Romero and Lolina Cuadras; her daughters, Aymee Costales Spindler, DDS (Steven), and Helena Costales, MD; her grandchildren, Ali Spindler Woodard (Justin) and Natalia Bourg; and her great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Finn Woodard.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Peristyle Residences–Beau Maison for their compassionate care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Visitation begins at 9:00 AM. Interment will follow at Metairie Cemetery.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com