Sonia Todd knew death was coming, but she refused to let it be somber. At 38, facing terminal cancer, she penned her own obituary—one filled with humor, honesty, and a challenge to the living. Her words, published in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, were so powerful they continue to inspire long after her passing.
She began with a laugh, saying her biggest achievements—her sons, her marriage, and her faith—didn’t need expensive obituary space. But her real brilliance was in her candidness. She admitted her failures, her regrets, and the hard lessons life taught her. With her sharp wit, she even joked about the “perks” of dying young—like dodging student loans and the IRS.
Yet her deepest message was one of gratitude. She thanked everyone who had touched her life, acknowledging that love and connection were what truly mattered. And then she left a final request: instead of mourning her, do something kind. Volunteer, write a thank-you note, quit a harmful habit, or simply make someone smile.
Sonia’s obituary wasn’t just about death—it was a celebration of life and a call to live better. Her words remind us that time is precious, and the best legacy we can leave is one of love.
