Sonia Ruth (Melichar) Chovance

Sonia Ruth (Melichar) Chovance went to heaven with the angels on September 15. Sonia is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ronald, daughters Holly, Cassie (Joel), Tiara, Tiffany, Chantel (Bob), son Christian, and 15 grand and great-grandchildren. Sonia was a registered nurse, and a beautiful, warm, kind and loving mother who will always be remembered and treasured.

Sonia was born in Berwyn, Illinois, to two first-generation parents from Czechoslovakia. She was the first-born daughter, but the third child, with two older brothers. She attended Piper grade school, Morton High School and Morton College.

Due to strong Czech heritage, she was bilingual, attending weekly Saturday Czech school. Sonia graduated nurses training at St. Luke’s in 1956 and upon graduation, joined McNeil Memorial Hospital. She retired the first time from nursing to start a family, with the birth of her first daughter, Holly.

Subsequently, she accompanied her husband in his business career for subsequent moves to Miami, Florida, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Seattle, Washington, Toledo, Ohio, Los Angeles, California, Boston, Massachusetts, and returned to Los Angeles and then Palm Desert, California. She had her children throughout these moves—Cassie, Tiara, Tiffany, Chantel and Christian.

With the maturity of the children, she returned to the nursing profession at St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, 1980. She retired a second time as manager of Med/Surg wing in 2001.

Sonia lived in Pacific Palisades for 40 years and retired to Palm Desert in 2004 for the ensuing years. Upon retirement, Sonia lived with her husband in Europe for three years.

She was also a member of the Professional Women’s Club in Palm Desert, which offered scholarships to nursing student programs. Sonia loved tennis, walking and lazy beach days. Her kindness and love extended to every person she touched.

If desired, contributions in her honor may be made to Eisenhower Health Foundation, Attention: Nursing Education, 39000 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage, CA 92276 (Please include donor’s name and address).