Sonja Engeline (Fäustlin) Olbert peacefully passed away at the age of 90 on June 28th. She was born on June 1st, 1934, in Augsburg, Germany, to Maria (Weber) Fäustlin and Gottlieb Fäustlin. Sonja grew up in Bavaria alongside her younger brother Hermann Fäustlin, who was 12 years her junior and who preceded her in death.

As a child, she lived through the trials of World War II, enduring hunger and seeking refuge in bomb shelters during air raids. Her parents sent her to live in the safety of the mountains in Ofterschwang. After the war, she met her husband, Adolf Olbert. In 1957, Sonja immigrated to America, with Adolf following the next year. They settled in Brockton, Massachusetts, where they raised their six children.

Adolf passed away in 2008 after 49 years of marriage.

Sonja valued her role as a mother, balancing the joys and challenges of raising her children and she cherished the moments spent together as a family during holidays. Sonja had many talents and hobbies: sewing, knitting, arts and crafts, watching birds, playing cards and board games, and gardening. She dedicated many years working as a housekeeper/cook at the Rectory of St. Colman's Church (now Christ the King) where her diligence and kindness left a lasting impression. She was also employed by Brockton HeadStart, working with children and positively impacting these young lives. Fluent in both English and German, Sonja maintained a deep connection to her heritage while embracing her life in America.

Sonja will be greatly missed by her six children: Annette O. Jones and her husband Guy, Adolf Olbert and his wife Diane, Sonja Olbert, Evelyne DeChambeau and her husband Paul, Elisabeth Patel and her husband Bhavin, and Stephan Olbert. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ciara, Kristin, Devon, Matt, Sean, Lucas, Jacob, Margaret, Rebecca, and Abigail, and her seven great-grandchildren: Kevin, Royce, Marlia, Rixi ,Jack, Abby, and Lily.

Sonja will be remembered for her strength and resilience. Her life was defined by her perseverance through hardship and her love for her family.

Visiting hours will be held in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt 123) Brockton on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 4:00-7:00pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Christ the King Parish, 54 Lyman St. Brockton Monday, July 8, 2024, at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ARC of Greater Brockton, 1250 West Chestnut St., Brockton, Ma. 02301 or Brockton Area Multi Services Inc. (BAMSI), 10 Christy's Drive, Brockton, Ma. 02301 in honor of Sonja's memory.