Obituary - Patricia Sonne White
Patricia (Patty) Sonne White, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully after several months of helping chemo do its level best. She was surrounded by many family members and friends who laughed, cried, sang songs, and told funny Patty stories with broken hearts.
Patty loved family & books & justice & wine & laughter & friends & llamas. She believed small acts of kindness had ripple effects. She stood up for those who could not stand for themselves. She liked music that rocks but also makes you think. She didn’t take herself too seriously. Her bumper sticker read, “As far as I know, I’m delightful.”
She was a spark of joy for friends and loved ones alike, whether sharing a witty quip, a supportive text with just the right words, a delicious homemade confection, or a riveting tale of a recent acquisition from “the Goodwill”.
Patty was a pillar of strength and stability for her family, whom she loved deeply, fiercely, and unconditionally. She demonstrated extraordinary resilience as a young single mother to her son, Dave, and most notably, during the harrowing years supporting her daughter, Sarah, to navigate and overcome a scary cancer. Even through all this, she always showed up with humor and light in the form of family trips and Sunday dinners, to open mic nights and Easter egg hunts.
Patty was also a devoted daughter and sister to her siblings and their spouses. If she ever caused them any challenge (she didn’t, did she?), she’d be sure to observe they had it coming and, anyway, it probably made them stronger. She was an adventurous fellow traveller with her husband, Mike. For her three grandchildren, Atlas, Jane and Pel, she was an active source of love, fun and wisdom (also, presents, so many presents). She said being their, “Gibi” was her favorite job, ever.
Patty is survived by her children, David Wilkinson (Mary) and Sarah White (Jacob); mother, Nancy Carr Sonne; brother, Chris Sonne (Priscilla); sister, Susan Sonne Terry (Mike); husband, Mike White; and three grandchildren, for whom she’d already purchased years of future Christmas and birthday gifts.
Since she isn’t here to request that no one “make a fuss,” a ceremony and Celebration of Patty will be held at Church of the Epiphany, 8000 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Virginia, 23228, where she held many roles – member of the vestry and the bell choir, sandwichmaker for those in need, Sunday school teacher, and ‘Trunk or Treat’ devotee. In lieu of flowers, please donate something “super cool” to a local second-hand store and/or join a protest for a worthy cause.
The service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Here’s where she might roll her eyes, but smile – and maybe recall the words of her favorite film, The Big Chill: “Amazing tradition. They throw a great party for you on the one day they know you can’t come.”
