Sonja Jean Low

Sonja Jean Pitcher Low, 81, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2019 in Logan, Utah, after a well-fought battle with dementia.
Sonja was born on June 24, 1938 to Vern and Josephine Pitcher in Logan, Utah. She attended elementary school in North Logan and graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah. Sonja earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in physical education. She taught physical education at Smithfield Junior High School (Utah) and later at Greenfield Junior High School (California). Years later, Sonja worked at Highland Junior High School as an office administrator and then at the Porter Family Practice Residency at McKay Dee Hospital.
Sonja married L. Thomas Low in the Logan Temple on June 22, 1960. While Tom was attending graduate school, Sonja earned money for their family by editing other students’ doctoral theses. Later, Sonja and Tom worked together as the first directors of the Powder Mountain Ski School. She conceptualized the Snoopy Ski School for children, which proved widely successful and is still in use today. She was excellent at cooking, canning, gardening, and sewing, and used those skills to enrich their home. An extremely devoted mother, Sonja loved her children. She was dedicated to their care, education, and training; and was most certainly their number one fan.
Sonja had a compelling love for the outdoors and passed that love onto her children, grandchildren, friends, and community members. With a vivacious and natural talent for sports, Sonja excelled in many physical activities, two of those being tennis and skiing. Her youthful exuberance was contagious and helped her connect with children. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many capacities: Stake Sports Director, Stake Camp Director, Relief Society President, and Young Women’s President. Sonja and Tom served as missionaries in the Ogden Utah Inner City Mission.
Service was at the center of Sonja’s life. She was always quick to help, no matter the need. She volunteered for a month at a time on various Red Cross disaster relief teams such as Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the South Dakota floods a few years following. In addition to her employment with Porter Family Practice Residence, Sonja went above and beyond to give motherly service to the medical residents, who loved her, ensuring that their numerous needs were met. She extended her hand and love to everyone. Her energy and motivation to serve was endless.
Sonja is survived by her husband, L. Thomas; children, Linda Kaye Perkes (Mark), Christine Apedaile (John), Steven Thomas (LaRea); siblings, Vern Pitcher (Nedra), Diana Hoth (Robert), Jim Pitcher (Lexa), and Pat Rose (Gib). She and Tom have seven grandchildren, Jeffery Harris, David Harris, Heather Harris, Thomas Apedaile, Tod Apedaile, Cody Apedaile, and Brian Low; and two great grandchildren, Rachel Kaye Harris and Liam Harris.
The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Sunshine Terrace that devoted themselves to Sonja’s care and to Cache Valley Mortuary for helping with funeral arrangements. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to a children’s charity of your choice. The viewing will be held Friday, July 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the LDS chapel on 175 South 100 West, Smithfield, Utah, with the funeral following at 12:00 p.m.
“To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy.” Thomas S. Monson