Sonya Isak Gribov passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 14, 2020 at 95 years old. Born to Isaac Venyaminovich Magid and Basya Berkovna (nee Goland) Magid on August 13, 1924 in Nevel, USSR, originally a Polish town, she spoke Polish, Yiddish, German, Russian, and eventually learned English.

When she was 17 the Nazis invaded Nevel. Those who remained were killed. Her home was burned to the ground. She escaped with her family on foot, taking nothing with them, and came to Kirov, Russia. Two years later her only brother, Nyoma (Benjamin) died in a burning tank defending Moscow from the German onslaught in a battle that reversed the course of World War II.

She moved to Leningrad and married Samuel Leibovich Gribov. There she worked as an industrial architect, designing factories and other public works. Samuel died when she was 54. With her husband gone, she turned her attention to her family, taking daily care of her grandchildren. Her signature matzo ball soup and her cranberry cake will always be remembered fondly.

As the Soviet Union started to collapse, she immigrated with her family to America at the age of 65, traveling through Austria, where she used her German to navigate the new society, and living in Italy for half a year before coming to Akron, Ohio.

Life in America was slightly different. When people would ask her, “How are you?” she would begin to tell them what’s going on in her life, not realizing at first that this was just a formality. Sonya was always straight forward. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She was honest and she was kind, always stylish, an excellent cook and an avid reader. She is missed. She is loved.

Sonya is survived by her son, Alex, her daughter, Nina; her grandchildren, Ilya, Asya, and Michael and her great-grandchildren, Leah, Michael, and Eden.

Graveside services will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2020, 1:00 p.m. in the Manassas City Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com