Sonia Graham, Newport
April 15, 1967 – Oct. 30, 2024
Sonia Graham, 57, of Newport crowd surfed to the next mosh pit on Oct. 30, 2024. A celebration of life and legacy will be arranged soon.
Sonia was a punk, and it was her punk ethos that both energized her and informed her approach to life. Eddie Vedder said “The whole [punk] doing-right thing is just what you do. It’s not a thing. I guess it’s a goal. It’s tricky.”
Sonia hit that goal. She labored to benefit others, lived authentically and loved fiercely. Life’s trials and tribulations were never a barrier, but rather a lens to see the next level of service to her community, colleagues, friends, and family.
Sonia is world-famous in Newport and Lincoln and Lane counties for her recent contributions as a connector, community builder, and friend to (nearly) everyone she met.
In Newport, Sonia founded Coastbusters Walk for Breast Cancer, which has raised more than $100,000 to support local breast cancer patients and survivors. She also initiated Seas the Day, Newport Rotary’s most lucrative fundraiser, also known as the “Dolphin Drop.” As the Newport 60+ Activity Center supervisor, after the Covid pandemic, she rekindled the Newport Community Thanksgiving meal tradition serving over 200 free meals annually. She also kept a Leadership Lincoln project thriving with a monthly birthday lunch to combat the epidemic of loneliness in our senior and Veteran communities and has grown membership and expanded 60+ activity options.
In places past, Sonia launched a college radio station, managed bands, coached startup businesses, consulted Fortune 500 companies, and formed collaborative and productive teams from disparate colleagues, classmates, and co-members at every turn.
Most of all, Sonia intentionally lived a life of purpose. Sonia’s time as a servant leader has been too short. Sonia lit a flame that burns bright; that flame will continue to shine. Sonia’s legacy will carry on and will influence the organizations, projects, and principles that Sonia championed to make our community healthier and happier for all.
Sonia Thomas Graham was born on April 15, 1967, in Encino, Calif. to James and Carmelita (Arsena) Thomas. Sonia and Jim Graham celebrated irreverent vows of marriage in Encinitas, Calif. on July 4, 1992. She is preceded in death by her mother, Carmelita, and by sisters Sylvia and Sondra. Sonia is survived by her husband Jim Graham, her father, James Thomas, nephews Jeremy Thacker and Brad Monson, and many friends.
Sonia earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of California/San Diego, a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from San Francisco State University, and a masters of business administration and health services administration from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
She loved walking Bella on the beach and with friends, sharing time, breaking bread, playing games, going to shows, celebrating our gorgeous Oregon coast, and simply living life to its fullest.
Sonia’s advice to the living might be to enjoy every minute, work your bucket list now (later may be too late), and get your preventive health screenings — especially mammograms and breast self-examinations for women.
Condolences and memories can be shared on the “Tribute Wall” at Weddle Funeral Service and contributions to honor Sonia’s legacy can be made on the Coastbuster’s website. More about her health journey can be seen at this Samaritan Health Services link: