SUMMERFORD - Hundreds and hundreds of people poured into the Summerford Pentecostal Church last Wednesday to say goodbye to Sonya Marie Rogers.
The 23-year-old woman lost her life Jan. 18 when she was stabbed multiple times in her Summerford home by a 23-year-old Virgin Arm man. He then took his own life in a shed in his home community.
Sonya's son Kaiden, who will turn three next month, was in the home at the time and may have witnessed some of the violence.
Sonya was remembered by family, friends and neighbours as a "precious girl - happy, carefree and loving as a child". That didn't change as she grew up into a woman who remained close to her family and who was a dedicated mother to "the love of her life" Kaiden.
The two-hour funeral service appeared to take an emotional toll on everyone as they searched for answers as to why this young woman was taken from them.
Summerford mayor Clayton LeDrew said the town could not have experienced any more of a tragedy than the sudden death of Sonya.
He also noted that on the morning of the funeral, he had received a call from 10-year-old Danté Hiscock of Lewisporte.
"He said he wants to do something for the little boy (Kaiden)," said Mr. LeDrew.
Danté has offered to perform a gospel concert free of charge with the proceeds going towards the trust fund that has been set up for Kaiden. In the coming weeks arrangements are expected to be made for such a concert in Summerford.
"I though it was something special," said the mayor.
A family member said in a Telegram article that Sonya's sister, Tara Rogers, felt there needed to be something done to keep her sister's memory intact and carried on down the road.
"Kaiden is three-years-old: Kaiden will not always be three-years-old," Sonya's uncle Roy Jenkins. "A trust fund would probably give Kaiden a good start in his life.
"It will give him an education. Who knows? Maybe this will inspire that boy to become something that will be advantageous years down the road in situations that are just like this."
The trust fund has been set up with Scotiabank in the names of Almon (Sonya's father) and Tara Rogers.
The funeral service continued with a song selection Jesus Loves Me. This song was included because it was one that the young mother sang with her son at Sunday School. Sonya was also remembered in the tribute by her sister for teaching her son I's the B'y' with memories of the whole family dancing around and singing that song.
In the moving tribute to her younger sister and best friend, Tara did what she set out to do, speak "the most important thing she would ever have to say." It was something she had imagined doing at her sister's wedding some day or at her 50th birthday party, but not like this. With only a few years separating them in age, Tara spoke of the evident closeness she had with her only sibling. She spoke of her sister's love of the outdoors, of snowmobiling, boating, fishing with her father and swimming with her mother. The family had a closeness shared by four of them that grew to five with the birth of Kaiden in 2005.
"Sonya's favourite thing was going out in boat to an island and having a barbecue," said Tara. "It was not long before Kaiden was out to. He was only a couple of months old the first time."
Tara reflected on how from the moment her sister became pregnant with Kaiden, how she did everything right for him.
"She was young and she was ready (to be a mother). She did everything for and with him. There were months she went without sleep, but she never ran out of patience.
"She wanted to fill his life with love, laughter and fun. Kaiden loved his mom - she was his whole world."
That love between mother and son was evident through a slideshow set to the music I Will Remember You, as fond photos of memories with Sonya were displayed - with the photos of Kaiden striking a chord amongst the mourners.
Tara added that her sister was the best, that she couldn't have asked for any better.
"She was there through the downtimes and the heartaches," Tara said. "She was always there for me."
She remembered the giggles, talks and dancing in front of the mirror until they got tired of laughing at themselves.
"I miss her voice, her heart, her humour and her hugs."
Pastor William Stacey spoke of how he searched to find the words to those people who were wondering where God was to allow something like this to happen.
"This town, this island never had a storm such as this," he said. "While it rages and we wonder if there is any hope, wonder if God deserted us or not, He's standing by."
The Pastor took the opportunity to implore young people, mothers and fathers, and those who are responsible for children, to take a look at their lives.
"My biggest fear over the past few weeks and months is that you are living too fast," he said. "No mom or dad, sister or little boy should have to go through what this family has gone through or the family down the road has gone through.
"If we don't act together we're going to be torn apart again and again."
He made himself available to every young person, whether it be midnight, 1 a.m. or 5 a.m.
"Don't feel you can't call any clergy you know," he said of himself and of the number of clergy gathered for the funeral service.
As the final goodbyes were said to Sonya, the family followed her white casket out with the song In the Arms of The Angels.
Ms. Rogers is survived by her son Kaiden, sister Tara and parents Marilyn and Almon.
Funeral services were held for the 23-year-old man on Jan. 22.
- With files from Paul Banks of The Telegram
Saying goodbye to Sonya
Sonya Rogers was remembered for loving her son, family and friends.
- Published on January 30th, 2008
- Published on June 28th, 2010
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Karen Wells
Hundreds and hundreds of people poured into the Summerford Pentecostal Church last Wednesday to say goodbye to Sonya Marie Rogers.
The 23-year-old woman lost her life Jan. 18 when she was stabbed multiple times in her Summerford home by a 23-year-old Virgin Arm man. He then took his own life in a shed in his home community.
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Comments
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- Janice
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:15
Thank you for writing such a beautiful article on Sonya's funeral. I am Sonya's aunt along with my brother that sang Jesus Loves Me. This was such a difficult thing to do but we had to do it for Sonya and her Mom and family. br This was such a senseless tradegy and our lives will never be the same. Our hearts are broken and if it were on display it would be like shattered glass. br br I do agree with Kelly the residents of these communitys need to start making a difference. There is a need for more RCMP presence and it 's not enough to shut things down at midnight. Contact your MP, get involved speak for Sonya as she cannot speak for herself. br br We all know there are many other women out there that are in an abusive relationship. I heard the stories myself in the past two weeks.Friends,neighbors you know these things are happening. TALK. please just because an person is quiet don't let this fool you. DON'T allow this to happen again.Don't allow another family to be left with this heartache and another precious child to be left without his/her mommy.Get involved.
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- John
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:15
Its obvious the world is a changing place and that Newfoundland Labrador is no different, just sometimes(thankfully) we have a delay in the crime/drugs being seen than does the rest of Canada. I personally think everyone should be careful of who they trust, men and women equally. br br And while I don't disagree that many rural areas of NL could benefit from an increased police presence, it should be pointed out that the police responded as fast as possible once called to this incident, and that for some unknown reason nobody called the police when the young man who took her life had first tried to gain access to her house. br br Perhaps the young lady didn't want to draw attention to herself or get the young man at her door in trouble, we shall never know. Perhaps her neighbours were trying to be neighbourly and didn't want to call the police to the house of the obviously well mannered and by all accounts respectible young lady. The bottom line is that by any definition we have a very tragic ending, and the world as us NL'ers know is has become a little less safe.
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- jason
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:15
im sorry to hear the passing of your daughter.may you trust in god and things will be good.may god bless you all.
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- Sheri
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:15
I'm sorry that such a tragic end came to Sonya's precious life.If Sonya's parents raise Kaiden the same as they did his wonderful mother then he is in good hands.Athough it may not be visible yet why such a terrible thing happened to such a wonderful girl and family.One day it will be known as to why Sonya's life ended when it did.Something good,how difficult it is too see when the heartache is still so strong will reveal itself in time.My heart and sincerest thoughts are with you through this very difficult time of your lives.Sonya will forever live on in Kaiden's smile and actions.Just continue to love each other and help one another get through these very difficult times.Take care!
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- kelly
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:14
To: Karen Wells and The Pilot. Thank you for writing such a lovely tribute to my cousin Sonya. You have captured her life with such respect and admiration. The details of her death were horrific and terrifying to say the least. I have had sleepless nights wondering what happened to her that night and how her desperate plea for help was answered far too late. If you live on New World Island and you read my post, PLEASE, PLEASE rally for the RCMP to be posted in Summerford/Virgin Arm. If I was there I'd do it myself, but the unfortunate reality is I live too far away, but I'm trying! Think of your mothers, daughters, sisters and don't let someone else's cries for help go too long.
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- Niki
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:14
The write up you have done on sonya is amazing. But no one can put into words what kind of person and mother Sonya was. Sonya is my first cousin only a year older. i can't believe she was taken from us at such a young age. theres so much anger in my heart fo what he did for her but i look at her little boy and i thank god he didn't hurt him. Sonya will live on in her little boy. i see her in him everytime i look at him. I miss her everyday RIP my love!
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- Trina
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:14
What a beautiful write up on Sonya. It's such a tragedy that a thing like this happened in such a small community. I guess I am a bit nieve because I always looked at home as the safest place in the world. I feel for everyone who cared about this sweet young woman. The saddest thing is that Kaiden has to grow up with out his mommy. So many unanswered questions, so many people left to wonder, why & how did that last night of her life go so wrong. ITS SO WRONG. All I can say is to all you young vulnerable ladies out there, becareful who you trust. The WORLD is changing and people are changing with it. Don't become a statistic.
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- Kelly
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:13
As I read this article, tears come to my eyes. How messed up is the world? I didnt know Sonya but she sounded like a wonderful person, the typical newfie. I am sure her memory will live on in the lives of her family and friends. Take care and God bless.
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- Hondus
- - June 29th, 2010 at 15:38:12
It brings a tear to my eye knowing the violence that that poor little boy had to go through. Hopefully he never saw what unfolded. As for the parents I don't know I barely remember Tara. as I look at the stories on this Tragic event it reminds me of how the police are so slow as to respond to calls from outside Lewisporte/Twillingate. Violence against spouces has to stop with higher penalties for the accused. Lets not let Sonya have died in Vain. Lets spread the word that enough is enough. My prayers and thoughts are with both families who are trying to pick up the peices and go on.
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