Sonia McAvoy

Sonia McAvoy, 92, of Liverpool, New York passed away on February 13th, 2026 at the Elderwood Nursing Home. She lived a long, fulfilled life. Sonia was born on September 13th 1933 in Santurce, Puerto Rico; she was the daughter of Gumersindo Maldonado de Jesus and Maria Luisa Begussaud Rivera. 

Sonia was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and her family was the achievement she was most proud of; in her final years what brought her the most joy was seeing pictures and hearing stories about her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a love of the arts, especially books, movies and music. She adored jazz; in her home, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald reigned supreme.

She was an avid reader, a passion she passed on to her four children. In later years, through the Cicero Senior Center, she developed some of the closest friendships of her lifetime, and traveled to Hawaii, Ireland and Puerto Rico. Her interest in Buddhism and meditation was a source of comfort for her in difficult times. 

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Peter) Golia, Allen Calhoun, Patrick McAvoy and Yael Nahari; her six grandchildren, Emily (Chuck) Pellizzeri, Nicholas Pellizzeri, Michael (Lynnsay) Calhoun, Quinn Kleinhans, Refael Cohen and Allison (Ryan) Calhoun; and her four great grandchildren, Carly Tousley, Miles Calhoun, Arlo Calhoun, and the latest addition to the family, Daisy Murray. 

She was predeceased by her two husbands, Leslie Calhoun and Robert McAvoy, her sister Miriam Meyerhoefer, and her beloved daughter-in-law Mary DiMura Calhoun. The family wants to express their gratitude to the many doctors, nurses and aides at Elderwood at Liverpool for their support during her stay. Your compassion, patience and many kindnesses will not be forgotten. 

A visitation in honor of Sonia McAvoy will be held on February 28th, 2026 from 11 AM to 12 PM at New Comer Cremations & Funerals at 705 N Main St., Syracuse, NY 13212. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Friends of Beaver Lake, Inc. https://beaverlakenaturecenter.org/