The measure of a woman resides in her boldness to assess the journey ahead and strategize how she will negotiate the twists, turns, rough terrains, and steep climbs to balance life. A woman of great strength, creativity, and love for humanity. Sonia Acentia Hylton's life's journey began in the cool hills of St. Thomas, Jamaica, on August 26, 1950. Her parents Myrtle Baker and Oswald Hylton welcomed their beautiful daughter with joy. A year later, on August 17, 1951, Hurricane Charlie's gale force winds and rains left death and economic destruction in its path. Sonia and her parents were spared and they moved to Kingston with gratitude.

Sonia followed the prescribed path of a public school education at The Mico Practising School, an institution where new teachers from Mico College could hone their skills. There, too, Sonia had early beginnings in developing her academic, social and emotional skills. Like most children on the island, Sonia was learning cooperation, empathy and winning strategies by playing ring games, hop scotch, dandy shandy, jacks and ball, one-two-three-red-light. She loved the color red, a symbol that would become a metaphor for her life of courage, passion and spirituality.

The poet and essayist, E.E. Cummings once wrote, "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." This is clearly reflected in the way Sonia approached her career and technical education. Her eyes set on the fashion industry, upon leaving primary school she decided to pursue a course in dressmaking. Somehow, she didn't care much about dressmaking. Sonia boldly declared it was not for her, at least that aspect of the clothing industry. Much to the chagrin of her parents, she held her ground and in good Sonia fashion, she pivoted, and landed a job in fabric merchandising at the epicenter of Downtown Kingston's fashion district. This time, it felt right.

Drawing on every bit of courage, Sonia was resolute and opened to transferring her new skills to interior design, collecting antique vases and exquisite ornaments to complement her fine décor themes. Her home had to be aesthetically pleasing and welcoming at all times. She poured her love into her flower garden often lush with fruits, vegetables and red roses. Her home was especially beautiful at Christmastime. She loved beautiful things. On any given day, you could see her basking in the beauty of the great outdoors. Her personal brand of culinary arts added its own aroma and joy in her home. This is who she was—a woman of style who found solace in nature's bounty.

Sonia knew intuitively that her becoming was intrinsically linked to how she perceived herself. To that end, she sought ways to change how she showed up in the world and challenged herself to grow with each experience. Religious values shaped her as a Young Legionnaire at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Kingston. However, as she matured, her spirituality flourished when she developed a personal relationship with God. She converted to Christianity and was baptized into the Emmanuel Apostolic Church on January 24, 2020.

Driven by passion, Sonia was not content to just survive, but drew strength from great matriarchs like her grandmothers, aunties, Nanny of the Maroons—warrior women who carried families and people in their hearts and on their shoulders. Known to be "hot-headed," Sonia would fight for what she believed was morally right. She spoke her truth, yet she was gently dedicated to her loved ones. When romance came her way, the embers blazed fire red as she reconnected with her life partner, Trevor Bonner in Miami, Florida, and Fatima Tahirah was born the autumn of love on November 6, 1985. A Jamaican to her core, Sonia was equally passionate about her personal life as she was about politics and world affairs.

The tender side of Sonia was endearing. She cared deeply for strangers, those less fortunate, and anyone entrusted to her care. As a Home Health Nurse, she blended compassion with professionalism in her commitment to service. When she needed the care of others in her final days, the love she showed for others was multiplied to her. Sonia went to be with The Divine on June 17, 2022.

Sonia leaves to mourn her passing, while celebrating her goodness, her life partner Trevor Bonner, daughter Fatima Bonner, her mother Myrtle Baker, grandchildren: Janyda, Joel, Jaylen and Jeremiah Nelson, sister Carmaseta "Mary" Daley, brother Baldwin "T" Daley, nieces and nephews, grandniece and grand nephews.  She was predeceased by two brothers: Charlton Hylton and Clifford "Herb" Ferguson. Her dear friends Joan, Ann, Coydette, Shaunie and countless other friends are left to cherish the many memories they created.

What more is there to say about Sonia the woman, daughter, lover, mother, grandmother, friend, caretaker, and however she showed up in our lives? We can all agree that Sonia was intentional in shaping the trajectory of her life with all the snags in the road, the joys and disappointments. She had a zest for life and was determined to win at all costs. While we celebrate this woman of magnitude, let us be mindful that it took her a lifetime of courage, passion, and spiritual awakening, while keeping a smile on her face—to become Sonia Acentia Hylton. May she rest in peace!