Sonja G. Martin

                Sonja G. Martin, 93, an educator whose curiosity led her to visit 25 countries and master half a dozen languages, left this world to explore new realms Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

                She died at her home in Margaretville after a short battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Born February 25, 1928 in Manhattan, Sonja was the daughter of Joseph and Diana Cogelja Grgurevich. She was raised in Hell’s Kitchen and spoke Croatian – the language of her immigrant parents – before she learned English. Her father, a longshoreman with little formal education, and her musically inclined mother instilled in Sonja and brother Boris a love of learning and a keen interest in the world.

Sonja earned a bachelor’s degree in language study from Hunter College and a master’s at Antibes, France. Her long career as a language teacher began at the American School in Rome. She later taught at Finch College, Benjamin Franklin High School, Wingate High School and Bronx High School of Science from which she retired in 1991.

She married Joseph R. Martin in San Francisco. He died in 1980. Surviving are daughter C. Adriana Martin-Wat and son-in-law Steven Wat with whom she made her home. Also surviving are extended family the Liaos, niece Sacha Grgurevich in Perpignen, France, and cousin Zarko Cogelja in Croatia, as well as relatives in Australia, Croatia and California. Her brother, Boris Grgurevich died in 1981.

Sonja spoke French, Italian, Mandarin and Latin. She could read Greek and was studying Hebrew and German. Fascinated by linguistics and the entrée it provided to the world’s cultures, she eagerly sought out experiences abroad. In 1979 she spent a year’s sabbatical teaching English at a vocational institute in Manchuria. During the 1990s war in the former Yugoslavia, she worked as a translator for Doctors Without Borders, helping medical practitioners communicate with the wounded.

She made severalepic annual trips abroad, from Iceland to Tunisia, with Margaretville friend and neighbor Dr. Craig Ramsay. Indeed she had friends all over the world.

Short in stature with an outsized intellect, Sonja enjoyed reading the Science Times, doing crossword puzzles and devouring mysteries, especially if they were in one of the languages she felt she needed to brush up on.

She loved gardening and nature study, played the piano and once took voice lessons. She loved to try new foods, especially sweet stuff. Cooking? Not so much. Mostly, Sonja is remembered for opening her heart and home to others, and for helping countless students and friends believe in themselves.

Sonja’s energy and spirit helped her survive two bouts of cancer before she succumbed to her final illness. Her family is grateful for hospice care provided by Helios of Oneonta, and for the kind attentions of Miller/Hynes Funeral Home.

To abide by her wishes, there was no memorial service. Those who would like to honor Sonja are encouraged to contribute to the Arbor Day Foundation.