Alma Doris Sonsini

Alma Doris Sonsini went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 7, 2020. She had lived at Highland House in Grants Pass since February 2019 after suffering her third stroke, and bravely withstood the coronavirus lockdown that prevented her from seeing and interacting with family and friends for 9 months in 2020. The family is very much appreciative of the kindness and love shown by the Highland House staff and faculty during a very trying time that put their own health at risk due to the covid contagion. May God bless these front line workers for standing in the gap on behalf of the sick and needy among us.
Alma Doris Donaldson was born on August 20, 1925 to Truman Franklin and Kathryn Van Zandt Donaldson in Harrisonville, Missouri. Her childhood was marred by scarlet fever, which kept her out of school and isolated at home for several months. Her mother brought her meals to her during that period. Upon discovering that he had Parkinson’s disease, her father decided to move the family to the west coast (less humidity?) when she was 12 years old. She commented years later that she still missed the flat country of Missouri. Her father, and his brother John, drove out to Oregon to find a place to relocate, and found a small farm on Lower River Road that is still there.

Mom had five siblings, as follows from oldest to youngest: Trulan E., Van D., Evelyn G., Milly May, and David W. Brother Van D was killed in a tractor accident at a young age, leaving his young bride, Genevieve, and unborn daughter, Carol Paulette, to fill the void left by his untimely death. Mom recalled that the whole family went out into the field that day, laid down, and cried over Van D. Also passing before Mom were her parents, Truman and Kathryn Donaldson, brother Trulan, and sister Milly May Harmon.

Mom did well in school, attending a one-room schoolhouse in the early years, before moving to Grants Pass and attending local schools to finish her education. She was salutatorian of the class of ’43 at Grants Pass high school. She was a skilled pianist/organist, and the First Baptist church (now River Valley) was a big part of her life in those days. Her first job was in the office of Dr. W.W.Walker, a dentist, followed by an office job with Dr. Blain B. Pruitt, an osteopathic physician, and finally at the Office of Geology and Mineral Industries.

Following graduation, Mom attended the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now known as BIOLA University). After one year, she returned to Grants Pass and married her first husband, Harold F. Martin, and settled in to raise a family. Son Michael Lee, daughter Marilyn Annette, son Lawrence (Larre) Franklin, son Duane Harold, and son Bruce Alden were a handful, but we all have fond memories of growing up in southern Oregon in the 1950’s. We are thankful for the love and safety provided by Mom and Dad while we were young, and for raising us to believe in the Lord and trust Him for our every need. All these years later, we have found the Lord to be a faithful provider and loving Father, as evidenced by His sending Jesus Christ into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Amen and amen.

After a two year stint in Cave Junction, where Dad worked with two of his brothers, Robert and George, on a 300-acre dairy farm known as Illivale Farms (also many fond memories), the family moved back to Grants Pass, and bought the house at 431 W. Harbeck (still in the family, now known as 2024 Marlen Dr.). Jerome Prairie Bible church and New Hope Christian school became the focus of family life (as well as Caveman football ). Mom went to work for the U.S. Forest Service (Siskiyou ranger district) in 1963, a woman working in a man’s world before it was cool. The guys accepted her, and started calling her ‘Elmer’ instead of Alma. She retired in 1983, and travelled extensively during her retirement. She loved to paint, garden, dote on her grandchildren, and play the organ at church/chapel on Sunday. Her husband, Harold, preceded her in death in 2013.

Later in life, Mom met and married Joseph Sonsini. They lived at Countryside Village, and took the initiative to start a chapel service for the residents while there. Then on to Cascade assisted living as health issues became more prominent. Mom had her third stroke in 2019, and that put her at Highland House to the end. Husband Joseph preceded her in death in May, 2019.

Due to covid restrictions, and the elderly nature of those likely to attend a memorial service, the family has decided to have no memorial service. Mom will live on in our hearts and minds, and we are comforted by the love and grace of our Heavenly Father, the author and finisher of our faith. Thank you Lord.