Sonya Davey Chaney passed away Friday, March 30, 2012, at St. Luke's hospital in Boise, Idaho. after battling leukemia (AML) for two and a half months. Sonya was a beautiful, kind, elegant lady, a wonderful dedicated, loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a dear friend to many.
Sonya was born Nov. 10, 1935, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Vince and Clara Davey. She graduated from Kellogg High School in 1953 and in 1955 married Arlen Chaney, her childhood sweetheart. After graduating from the University of Idaho in 1957, they entered military service for six years stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Campbell, Ky., Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., and Watertown Arsenal, Mass. Their son, Dale Chaney, was born in Moscow, Idaho, daughter Kathy in Tennessee and Sue (Hamilton) in Boston.
In 1963, they moved to Spokane, Wash., briefly, then settled in Lewiston, Idaho, where Arlen worked for CCI/SPEER/OMARK/BLOUNT ammunition factory and they raised their three children. In 1993, after 28 years, Arlen retired; in 2002, they relocated to Sun Valley, Idaho, to be near their three children and seven grandchildren.
Sonya's mother was born in Norway and Sonya was very proud of her heritage and took great joy in passing on Norwegian culture and tradition. She was an accomplished cook and loved baking Norwegian Christmas cookies with her granddaughters. She taught her kids to ski, and to love nature and the outdoors, especially the mountains. Besides skiing, she was an excellent golfer, and enjoyed hiking in the mountains with her grandkids, teaching them the Vandal fight song as they marched along.
When asked her occupation, Sonya would proudly state, "I am a homemaker." She excelled at her job and was an accomplished hostess who made guests feel comfortable and very special. Her crystal and silver table settings along with marvelous food were worthy of a Pottery Barn advertisement. Her main passion was gardening. She always had beautiful flowers inside and outside. In spring, she toiled from dawn to dark planting flowers. Throughout summer, she cared for her flowers with their daughter's yellow lab, Buddy, by her side. Neighbors refer to her as "the Flower Lady" and the family is certain that Sonya is now in warm sunshine, planting her beautiful flowers with Buddy by her side.
During their 57 years together, Sonya and Arlen traveled the world. One of Sonya's favorite places was Hawaii. She and Arlen spent early springs there where she loved the sunshine, ocean, beach, golf and the many friends she made.
She is loved by so many; words cannot describe how she will be missed.
There will be a memorial to celebrate Sonya's life at the Lodge Dining Room in Sun Valley at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14. Another memorial will be held in Lewiston, Idaho, in mid-May, time and place to be announced.
