Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Sonja M. (Christiansen) Carlson, age 91, a lifelong resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Sonja was born in Stoneham, MA, on June 22, 1935; she was the cherished daughter of the late Carl N. Christiansen and Anna Lisa (Anderson) Barbour. Later in life, her mother married Clarence Barbour, who became a beloved stepfather to Sonja. She was raised in Wilmington and was a proud member of the Wilmington High School Class of 1953.
In December of 1954, Sonja married the late Richard M. Carlson, and together they began their married life on Andover Street, where they raised their five daughters. Sonja was a loving, patient, and kind mother and grandmother whose family was the center of her world.
Sonja was a woman of remarkable creativity and many talents. She was a gifted artist and studied under the direction of Tony Estrella and Tad Klodnicki. Her historical paintings can be found hanging in both Harnden Tavern and the Congregational Church in Wilmington. She was a member of the Reading Art Association, Wilmington Arts Council, and North Shore Art Association. Her artistic talents were evident from an early age, as her caricatures were featured in her Wilmington High School yearbook in 1953.
A talented seamstress, Sonja lovingly made clothes for her daughters and taught each of them the skills she had mastered. She especially enjoyed dressing her girls alike, and family memories including the five little sisters. Sonja was also known for her Swedish coffee bread, a specialty that became a beloved family tradition.
Sonja had a deep love for animals and rescued many older dogs from shelters, giving them comfort, companionship, and the best years of their lives. She also enjoyed painting and gardening and cherished the years she spent on the goat farm on Andover Street, the place where she grew up.
She was an active member of the Women’s Club for many years and was never afraid to speak her mind. Sonja was a passionate political activist who stood firmly behind what she believed in and published numerous articles expressing her views in the Town Crier. She also generously volunteered her time with the Wilmington Fourth of July Committee and was especially proud to be part of the town’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Sonja was also a talented poet who enjoyed writing poetry and sharing her work with her family. Some of her most treasured memories were the simple moments spent with those she loved. Her grandsons, Cody and John, would often visit their “Gran Nana” for tea, especially during their teenage years. Those special afternoons became cherished memories that they carried with them throughout their lives.
Sonja was a true lover of Wilmington—the “Land of Nod,” as she affectionately called it. She loved the town where she was raised, where she built her life, and where she raised her family. Her connection to Wilmington ran deep, and she took great pride in being part of its history and community.
Sonja’s love, creativity, strength, and wonderful sense of family will live on in all who knew and loved her. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a family who will forever be grateful for the love she gave them.
Sonja will be deeply missed by her beloved daughters, Susan Carlson, Sally Carlson, Janet MacLean and her husband Dennis, Karen Baker and her husband Stephen, and Sonja Halliday and her husband Daniel.
She was the loving “Gran Nana” of Richard Nelson and his wife Christine, Nathan Nelson, Stephen Baker, Jason Baker and his wife Tabitha, John Baker and his wife Morgan, Cherish Ott, Brittany Proctor, Katelyn MacLean, Dillon Halliday and his wife Caitlyn, and Cody Halliday and his wife Jessica.
Sonja was the cherished “Great Gran Nana” of Nikolas, Lauren, Liam, Owen, Aurora, Bowden, Cody, Rowan, and Henry. She was the dear sister of Larz Christiansen and the late Lennart Christiansen.
Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Monday, September 14th, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate memorial donations in Sonja’s name being made to the Town of Wilmington, Attn: Veterans Services, 146 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA 01887, to support servicemen and women and her grandson, Cody Halliday, who is currently deployed.
Sonja found beauty and joy in color and always looked for the bright light in everything around her. In her memory, her family invites those attending her services to wear something bright and vibrant—a fitting tribute to Sonja and the colorful spirit she brought into the lives of all who knew and loved her.
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