It is with deep personal regret and loss that we announce the passing of our Dearest Mother, Rachel Ann Sohonage, late wife of William John Sohonage, both born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Rachel was the daughter of Evelyn Whaley Oaks and Charles R. "Petey" Oaks. Rachel was the sister of Margie, Lorraine, Bette, Charlotte, Joan and Ruth.

After her father's early death, Rachel lived in Philadelphia with her mother and her dear stepfather Martin "Pap-Pap" McCooley. Rachel had life-long friends from Connellsville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Ohio, Missouri, Deer Lake and throughout the many places in which she lived across the United States.

Rachel married the love of her life, husband William Sohonage, and together they raised six (6) children, Janie, Bill, Jeff, Laura, John and Kirk Sohonage. Together they were a legendary team and good parents, but more importantly, "she was a good person." As the matriarch of a large family that included 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, Rachel loved to throw comfortable gracious house parties and entertain her family and friends.

After her husband's premature death more than twenty years ago, Rachel remained a steady rock and inspiration to her family and children. Her religion and faith were guiding factors in Rachel's life and she gifted this faith to her children. For decades Rachel and Bill regularly hosted parish priests and nuns for Sunday and holiday dinners, which included spirited conversation. They sacrificed to send their children to Catholic school and she spent much of her time volunteering with orphans and special needs children, volunteering in the Catholic schools, and fundraising at school functions and events.

Rachel loved to travel, and visited the world with her children, sisters, family and friends. She was acknowledged as a prolific reader and her penciled rating system in the spine of library books became sought after recommendations.

She is survived by her children and their families: Janie and Pat Joseph, Bill and Wendy, Jeff and Sue, Laura and LeRoy Schambach, John and Scott Wagner, and Kirk and Christian. She is also survived by two sisters, Margie Lauritzen of California, and Betty Polis of Connecticut, as well as her many nieces and nephews. Throughout her life Rachel had a host of dear friends that she loved richly. Remembered as Mimi, Mom, Rachel, sister or fun-loving dear friend, she was loved by all and will be greatly missed. God rest her soul

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in her honor to the Uniontown Public Library or Geibel Catholic School in Connellsville, PA.