LINCOLNVILLE — Sonja M. Staples, 88, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born on May 10, 1937, in Rockland, Sonja was one of thirteen children born to Gustav H. Carlson and Ethel L. Morse. She grew up in "the Bog" of Rockland in a small home that, at the time, lacked running water and electricity. Her childhood was spent playing outdoors with her twelve siblings, but a sense of responsibility met Sonja early in life. She left school as a young woman to help raise her brothers and sisters, a testament to the nurturing spirit she carried throughout her life.

On a life changing day when she was 18, Sonja was walking to the roller-skating rink when her future husband, Herbert, drove by several times before finally stopping to ask her out. It was the beginning of a lifelong devotion. On December 31, 1955, she married Herbert J. Staples, Jr. in Rockland. The couple lived in Rockland for the first seven years of their marriage before moving to Camden in 1963. In 1988, they built their "forever home" in Lincolnville, where Sonja resided for the remainder of her years.

Sonja had a long and productive career as an electronics manufacturer at Tibbetts Industries in Camden, where she worked for over 30 years before retiring to care for her husband. While she took pride in her professional work, her most cherished roles were those of mother and grandmother. She was truly the "staple" of her children’s lives.

An incredibly artistic woman, Sonja loved to draw a talent she passed down to her children. She was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed crocheting, famously making homemade doll costumes and even a "Little House on the Prairie" dress for her daughter, Lisa. She was well-known in the neighborhood for her green thumb, particularly for her strawberries, which her children would sell door-to-door. She also enjoyed canning the harvest from her garden, especially her pickles.

In her downtime, Sonja loved working on puzzles and playing games with her family, with Yahtzee being a particular favorite. She cherished the holidays, and Thanksgiving at Sonja’s house was a family tradition defined by her famous, "melt-in-your-mouth" fudge that everyone looked forward to.

Sonja was a woman of deep sacrifice who would do anything to comfort and care for those she loved. She was a pillar of her community and a constant source of support for anyone in need. She truly embodied what it meant to be a mother.

Sonja was predeceased by her parents; her loving husband, Herbert J. Staples, Jr.; her sisters, Arline Springer, Florence Vanhoek, and Norma Davee; and four brothers, Richard Carlson, Alfred Carlson, Gustav “Sonny” Carlson, and Robert Carlson.

She is survived by her children: Herbert “Joey” Staples III and his wife Sheila of Augusta; Susan Lewis and her partner David Riedy of Liberty; Deborah Brown and her husband Earle of Lincolnville; Robert Staples and his partner Sharon Smalley of Warren; and Alissa “Lisa” Staples and her husband Wade Thibodeau of Camden.

She is also survived by her siblings Karen Gerard and her husband Jim of Rockland; Judith Carlson of Thomaston; Roger Carlson and his wife Sheila of Rockland; Hilma Meklin of Rockland; and Donald Carlson and his wife Catherine of Rockland.

She leaves behind seven grandchildren, whom she loved dearly: Mandy Staples, Samantha Staples, Jason Taylor, Chris Brown, Lindsey Bragg, Jessica Bernier, and Mathew Thibodeau; and four great-grandchildren: Alana Fancy, Natalie Brown, Eva Bragg, and Emmy Bragg.

A private graveside service will be held in the spring at Achorn Cemetery in Rockland.

Those who would like to share a memory or story with the Staples family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.