Sonia A. Zagger of Lackawannock Township passed away at 5:45 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, in her residence. She was 87.

Mrs. Zagger was born April 7, 1930, in Farrell, a daughter of George and Anna Janish Stepanchak. She was a lifelong area resident and a 1948 alumna of Farrell High School. Following her graduation, Sonia worked in the photography department at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. where she met her husband. She married James Francis Zagger on July 26, 1952 and together they owned and operated the former Jim's Golden Dawn at the corner of Smith Ave. and Griswold St., Hermitage. They also built all of the homes on Griswold St. in Hermitage and developed three mobile home parks in Erie and one in Reynolds. In addition, Sonia worked at Packard Electric Corp., Warren, Ohio, and retired in 1995 from The Reznor Corp., Mercer, where she was employed for nearly fifteen years.

She and her husband traveled extensively and enjoyed going to the casinos. Following his death on October 4, 1997, she enjoyed going on day bus trips; and thrift shopping with her daughter Lisa. She was an avid reader and loved listening to the opera. Sonia was a member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, James F. Zagger, Jr.; three sisters, Mary and Annette Stepanchak and Olga Kerting; two brothers, George and Eugene Stepanchak; and a sister- and brother-in-law, Helen and William Thomas. Sonia is survived by two daughters, Andrea S. (James) Little; and Lisa M. (Jeff) Zagger-Palmer; a son, Dr. George M. Zagger; and a grandson, Liam G.J.E. Zagger, whom she adored and always looked forward to seeing. She also leaves a brother, Russell (Pat) Stepanchak; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Sonia was a wonderful woman who took each day with grace. She taught her children to be kind and accepting of others as they are and never said anything bad about anyone. Her love, gentleness and non-judgmental listening will be greatly missed.

Sonia loved all of her pets and therefore the family suggests memorial contributions be made to any local animal advocacy organization.

There are no calling hours.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery chapel, Hermitage.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.