Sonya Bomster, 89

Sonya Ann Bodie Bomster, 89, of Taylor Community in Laconia, died peacefully on Oct. 14. Her immediate family was in attendance for her last several days.

Born Sept. 24, 1934, in New Haven, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Dr. William J. and Rebecca A. Bodie of Branford, Connecticut. She graduated from Branford High School in 1952, where she was a field hockey player and an avid student of Latin and of the sciences. She went on to earn an associate degree from then-Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut, which she applied in her later work as a medical laboratory technician.

She married her childhood friend and high school sweetheart, John F. Bomster, also of Branford, in 1954. Together, they had five children in a family that now includes 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Over the years, she and her husband lived in Branford and Clinton, Connecticut; East Goshen, Pennsylvania; Barrington, Rhode Island; and in Ashland and Alexandria. After her husband’s death in 2012, Mrs. Bomster moved to Taylor Community, where she was very social and involved, a committed knitting community member and public speaker at community events.

She was known for her generosity of spirit, her positive outlook and her sense of humor. A committed volunteer throughout her life, Mrs. Bomster was an active parishioner in Roman Catholic parishes wherever she lived, as a choir member, lector and liturgist. She was a Girl Scout leader and a frequent volunteer in the Barrington, Rhode Island, public schools, among others. True to her civil rights roots, she believed that all students deserved a public school education and worked in many capacities, including helping students with intellectual disabilities learn to swim prior to laws being passed that demanded that schools allow such students to attend. She read for the blind through Insight in Rhode Island and worked as a docent with the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness.

Her political activities over the years included her work at the polls, as a southern Connecticut campaign coordinator for U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy’s 1968 presidential campaign, and through her tart commentary during presidential State of the Union addresses, regardless of party affiliation.

Sonya was a voracious reader, especially of chick lit, well before it was recognized as a genre. A lover of cats and dogs, she opened her home to countless pets, rescues and strays (both animal and human). The last of these was her beloved cat Simba. She and late husband, John, have left a legacy of opening their home, hearts and counsel to all who encountered them. An early ally, her nonjudgmental acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community was much appreciated.

She was an accomplished sailor and downhill skier. When her husband, John, took up horse riding in his 60s, she assisted him in his equestrian and dressage competitions. She was a competitive and energetic Scrabble player.

She loved family gatherings and hosting events for family and friends at her home, typically with a glass of bubbly nearby. Among her many talents as a full-time mother, her baking was famous in the family. She created entire landscapes and three-dimensional worlds for her children's birthdays every year.

Sonya was preceded in death by her husband, John Bomster; brother William Bodie; and son-in-law Christopher Perkins.

She is survived by five children, Mark of Baltimore, Maryland, and his wife, Cynthia; Matthew and his wife Lucia of Providence, Rhode Island; Johannah of Minneapolis; Rebecca of Biddeford, Maine; and Judith of Manchester; her 12 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and those not yet born who will carry on her legacy.

In true Bomster fashion, services will be held at a date and location yet to be determined.

Donations in Sonya’s name may be made to either of the following organizations: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Road, Holderness, NH 03245, nhnature.org, or Belknap House, 200 Port St., Laconia, NH 03246, belknaphouse.org/donate.