Mrs. Sonja Goldberg

She was born in Hamburg, Germany, to Cilli and Grigori Liwschitz of Poland. At the age of 14, she and her older sister fled Nazi Germany and emigrated to America, never to see their parents again. The girls initially lived with an aunt in New York City, where Sonja perfected her English, and with her 8th grade German education, soon was able to finish High School. After the war, the sisters moved to San Antonio, and it was here at a dance that Sonja met her beloved husband Dave. They raised two daughters and enjoyed 61 years of marriage before Dave’s passing.

Sonja retired from Borden, Inc., as assistant to the Comptroller. A highlight of her job involved periodic audits of the ice cream vault, where she got first dibs on any damaged containers, much to the delight of her family. She also enjoyed filling in for the plant receptionist at lunch, where she adroitly handled many prank calls asking for Elsie the Cow.

In her younger years, Sonja was an excellent seamstress, sewing formal gowns for her daughters’ high school dances. She was a news junkie, an avid reader, a regular mall walker, a regular at her synagogue, and a pretty good cook. Sonja didn’t smoke or drink, and she never straightened or dyed her hair. She was blessed with beautiful skin and a petite figure, both of which she maintained, even though she regularly indulged her sweet tooth, albeit always in moderation. She was an energetic, hard-working woman who devoted herself her entire life to her family.

Sonja was preceded in death by her siblings, Werner Lewis and Ruth Goldberg, her daughter Janet Jimenez (Edward), and her husband, David Goldberg.

Her memory will be cherished by her surviving daughter, Adrienne Hollander (Richard), her grandchildren Jennifer Jimenez (Shay Vrazel), Ian Hollander, Jaclynn Marko (Kyle), and Krystal Jimenez (Jose Hernandez Martinez); and her great-grandchildren Hayden Jimenez, Abigail and Rip Vrazel, and Ellie-May Marko. Sonja is also survived by her loving cousins and nieces and nephews who provided much appreciated support and devotion, especially during her later years.

The family would like to thank her aides Melissa Reed and Sonya “Cookie” Davis at Madison Estates who enabled Sonja to maintain her independence for so long. Thanks to Dr. Cindy Johnston and the WellMed Bridges team for their excellent medical care over the years. And to the residents and caregivers (Emanuel, Adina, Hope, Victoria, and Juliet) at Pembroke Angel Care where Sonja spent the last two years of her life, the family would like to express their extreme gratitude and appreciation for your exceptional care and all that you have done to make her feel safe, valued, and loved. Finally, thanks to the superior staff of Good Shepherd Hospice who provided in-home care in her final months.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, January 17th, at Agudas Achim Memorial Gardens, 1727 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78218. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association or Congregation Agudas Achim.