Sonya Ann Toncheff

Sonya Ann King was born on December 13 , 1938 in Jamestown New York to Joseph and Esther King. She was the oldest of the King children. Sonya’s early life was spent in Sinclairville New York where she grew up with her siblings Joe, Sharyn and Brian. This is also where she met her life long friend Elsie Livermore. The family later moved to Tucson AZ where she graduated from Tucson High School.

After school she met and married Louis Jackson McAlister. Their son Louis Joel was born in 1957. In 1961 Sonya gave birth to her daughter Venus Renee, As a family they moved to Las Vegas where she worked in the casino industry. During this time she developed her passion of casinos and gaming.

After this marriage ended, Sonya moved her children back to Tucson where she began working at Hughes Aircraft. She remained with Hughes for the rest of her career. It was at Hughes that she met her best friend Germaine Jenkins. Germaine was instrumental in introducing Sonya to her next husband Gordon Toncheff. Sonya and Gordon were married in April 1975.

Gordon brought 3 children of his own to their marriage. Gordon Jr, Laura and Teresa. Together, Gordon and Sonya welcomed 11 grand children and 9 great grand children into their lives.

Travel was a favorite past time of both Sonya and Gordon. Retiring at an early age, they were able to spend time traveling around the world to many exotic places and going on many adventures. They included their children and grandchildren in many trips before Gordon’s death in 2004.

After his death, Sonya continued her travels, traveling solo taking her daughter Venus with her. She and Venus became great traveling companions,

Sonya was a proud and active member of the RED HAT SOCIETY. She loved wearing her Red Hats and spending time with her “Red Hot Chili Peppers”.

When her health began to decline, Sonya sold her beloved home in Tucson and moved to Gilbert AZ to be with her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love her gaming and traveling never faded, but her ability to participate in those activities became harder and harder for her to do. For the last year of her life, she mostly stayed home, cared for by her granddaughter Vanessa, her daughter Venus, her son Lou, and her daughter-in-law Beverly, and most of all dearly loved by her great granddaughters.

Sonya passed away in the early hours of February 5,2026 following a family gathering filled with hugs and kisses and lots of love.

A committal service is scheduled to take place at EAST LAWN PALMS CEMETERY, located at 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States. The service will be held on March 6, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.