Sonia M. Lyle was born in New Broughton, Manchester, Jamaica on April 23, 1945. She peacefully passed on from this life in the early morning on April 1, 2026, after a brief illness. "Aunt Sonia", as she was affectionately called by family and friends was one of the five surviving children of father Cecil Alexander Lyle and mother Rachel Louise Lyle. Aunt Sonia moved from New Broughton ("Country”) to Kingston ("Town") after graduating high school where she resided with her paternal Grandmother Adina Wright, paternal Aunts Elise Renny, Olga Henry, first cousin Derrick Spence, and niece Pamela Lyle and nephew Patrick G. Lyle at the family's "Faith Villa" residence on Rainford Road, Kingston 11. While in Kingston, Sonia's faith and love of the church and singing was nurtured and developed as well as her compassion and caring nature. Her faith, love of singing. compassion for the less fortunate and her positivity sustained her and became cornerstones of her adult life. Aunt Sonia was an active member of the Constant Spring Church of God in Kingston as well as the New Broughton Church in Manchester while in Jamaica. Sonia worked for a time as a clerk with the Jamaica Agricultural Society where she supported the country's famers and youth 4 H activities before emigrating to Boston to join her four older siblings, Geneivieve, Morris, Patrick and Roosevelt and her mother "Grandma Lou".

While in Boston, Aunt Sonia became an active member of Mattapan Baptist Church and worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield until retirement. Retirement, however, did not mean that Aunt Sonia stopped being active. Aunt Sonia took on many roles at Mattapan Baptist Church including organizing hospital visits for the sick and interned, education committee, and choir. Sonia continued to support the New Broughton Church and needy residents of the district. For her contributions to Mattapan Baptist Church and in recognition of her stewardship, Aunt Sonia was bestowed the title of Deaconess. In addition to Mattapan Baptist, Aunt Sonia volunteered at various local food pantries, was active in voter registration drives, and supported Caribbean and Jamaican organizations through financial sponsorship and hands-on involvement. One of Aunt Sonia's cherished and meaningful engagements was her involvement with the Boston Police Department. In 2010, Aunt Sonia was awarded a certificate by Police Commissioner Ed Davis for outstanding public involvement.

During the latter stages of her adult life Aunt Sonia was beset with a series of medical setbacks which often brought her to Dorchester's Carney Hospital where she was beloved by doctors and staff for her sunny disposition which earned her the nickname "Miss Carney". Aunt Sonia became a strong civic activist for Carney hospital so much so that when the hospital closed its doors in 2024, the Boston Globe featured her in its article documenting the tremendously negative impact that the loss of the hospital would have on the surrounding community. Aunt Sonia continued to embrace life, family, friends, her church and civic engagement and did so with an ever-present smile. She nurtured many nieces and nephews including grand nieces and nephews who passed through her Mattapan home where she always had a positive word, encouraged good behavior and proudly delighted in their accomplishments.

In the early fall of 2025, Aunt Sonia experienced a new medical setback. She faced it with strength, courage, humility and an ever-present smile until God opened his arms and welcomed her home. Sonia Lyle is survived by her beloved sister and best friend "Aunt Gene", brothers, Morris Lyle and Roosevelt Lyle of Boston, MA and Patrick A Lyle of Ocala, FL; paternal Uncle Alvin Lyle of Manchester England, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, a goddaughter, friends and co-volunteers.

Visiting Hours Thursday, April 23, 2026, in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, 5 – 8 pm.

Funeral Service, Friday, April 24, 2026, in the Mattapan Baptist Church, 587 Eliot Street, Milton at 10 o’clock. Visitation in the church 9 – 10 am. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Mattapan Baptist Church, 587 Eliot Street, Milton, MA 02186. or the American Cancer Society in memory of of Sonia M. Lyle.

"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” John 17:4