Sonia Gomez-Bemak
Sonia Gomez-Bemak, of the Oxford Circle section of Philadelphia, passed away on December 5, 2025, at age 65. Beloved wife of Charles Bemak. Loving mother of Luisito Quintana (Alejandra), Desiree Harrity (Steven), Michael Bemak (Trish) and Selena Austin (Jimmy). Devoted grandma of Ayana, Emmy, Anaise, Evoni, Sebastian, Leo and Arthur. Sadly missed by seven brothers and sisters as well as many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing and funeral on Wednesday, December 17, from 9:00 am – 10:30 am in St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 5450 E. Roosevelt Blvd. There will be a funeral mass celebrated at 10:30 am with burial to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Dear Boo, I will miss you. You will always be my Sweetie. I know you hated that name especially if I said it, but I would give anything up to hear you yell and curse me out one more time. You will always be the love of my life. You gave me so much life, the kids and grandkids. It was lifetime full of pain, hardship but also many many happiness. Happiness building this wonderful family. From the moment that I saw you to your last breath, I love you. I would never trade the road that we travelled together. You made my life complete. Now it’s incomplete until I meet you in Heaven and give you a big Smooch. Love, your Sweetie.
Dear Boo, I will miss you. You will always be my Sweetie. I know you hated that name especially if I said it, but I would give anything up to hear you yell and curse me out one more time. You will always be the love of my life. You gave me so much life, the kids and grandkids. It was lifetime full of pain, hardship but also many many happiness. Happiness building this wonderful family. From the moment that I saw you to your last breath, I love you. I would never trade the road that we travelled together. You made my life complete. Now it’s incomplete until I meet you in Heaven and give you a big Smooch. Love, your Sweetie.
My last conversation with Sonia was beautiful because it was about Tara, Sonia telling me to be patient and to know that Tara was such a great person. I will always remember how Sonia stuck up for Tara when I complained. She stated how busy Tara is. Well, because of Sonia I understand Tara better. I will be patient and understand.
My Aunt Sonia you were always so kind to me! I remember when we ended up at Shady brook farms at the same time you there with your grandkids and I was on a school trip with Matthew we spent a good day picking pumpkins and watching the kids. You always said such good things about my kids made me feel like I was doing a good job as a Mom. You were such a loving Grandma and Mom easy to see how much you enjoyed being with them. I especially appreciated listening to you talk about your devotion to the Little Flower. I loved how we bonded over our Faith and enjoying the kids! We shared that joy together! I will truly miss you, very sad you had to go! But it’s God’s will. Until we meet again!:)
I’m so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful person. She always made me laugh . She was a funny and compassionate girl. May the Lord comfort you and she rest in peace with our other departed angels. 😇
Sonia, you always made me laugh. The minute you saw me you said, Jary, what’s up? How the hell are you? LOL You were loved by so many. You always found a way to make someone smile and laugh. The Quintana family will miss you. Till we meet again someday in Heaven. Rest In Peace.
A light has gone out in our family.
When ten-year old Matthew was taken to the ER by the rescue squad, it was Sonia who answered the phone at 1 o’clock in the morning and sent Charlie over to pick us up and drive us home. Another night alone, (when Chago worked the night shift) I thought someone had broken into our house. I was terrified of going downstairs and remained huddled with the kids in my bedroom. It was Sonia who responded to my call. They drove over immediately. She had Charlie climb the porch roof, then the bedroom window, and then had him check the house for us. When the neighborhood bullies threatened Lisa, Sonia and Charlie once more sped to our home. It was Sonia who stopped a police car on Wyoming Avenue and sent the cops to our house. These are just a few memories, that while dramatic in nature, it shows that Sonia was always there for anything at any time. The eight of us are filled with childhood memories, some that consist of sibling rivalry where we found ways to beat the crap out of each other, and also memories of spending summer afternoons kicking each others’ butts while playing baseball in Fairmount Park. But if you’re aware of the dynamics of the Gomez Family, then you’d know that our sibling rivalry wasn’t about competing for Mami’s and Papi’s attention or out of jealousy-things that are common in other American households. No, we Gomez kids picked on each other simply out of boredom or for the fun of it. As we got older we went in different directions but continued to remain loyal to each other-because we know that with age, things that bothered us before no longer have an effect. The
memories are endless. We’re going to miss you, Sonia. We’re going to miss you terribly. We’ll mourn quietly, cry inside tears because we Gomez kids are strong, though our eight-link is broken and a light has gone out in our family. But if you look up into the deep blue of the giant sky, at the parting of the clouds, in the very far distance, you can almost see a blinking of a starlight, a tiny twinkling, a star that has Sonia written all over it , letting us know that she’s ok. Thanks, Sonia, for always being there at any time, for anything. Until we meet again.
I will definitely miss Sonia. She was my sister in law but she was also a friend. She was funny and witty!
The last conversation we had was not very long ago and it lasted about an hour. It was very nice.
She would text me regularly to.see how I was doing and reminded me that she was praying for me. I loved that.
Rest in peace my sister in law/friend. You’ll be missed.
Oh man, where do I even begin? There are so many memories I have of Sonia, all of them making me laugh. There was never a dull moment when i’d come to visit. I loved listening to the many stories she would have to share. I wish i could have been around more often, but Sonia always had a way of making me feel as if i had never left. If she knew I would be around during the holidays, she made sure to include me in whatever festivities were going on. She would reach out through phone calls and texts to check in and see how I was doing or if i needed anything. There was never a doubt in my mind that if i needed anything at all, she would go out of her way to make sure I was taken care of. Sonia helped me feel present in the family, even while i was states away. She constantly reminded me how much she loved me and prayed for me. Leading up to my deployment, I reached out to her because there were a few people I wanted to see before I left. She told me not to worry about anything and she would take care of things, and she did. I had an amazing going away party at Selena’s house and I will forever be grateful to have been able to spend that time with her and everyone who came. Im sorry if this text seems all over the place, the shock of this hasn’t quite settled in, im not sure if it ever will. Sonia may be gone physically, but her memory, her laugh, all her stories will forever carry on. I will miss her deeply. My condolences go out to the rest of the family. Just as Sonia was there for me, I will be here for anyone who needs anything. Love always.
Oh man, where do i even begin? I have so many memories of Sonia, all that leave me smiling or laughing. I loved going over to Sonia’s house and listening to all the crazy stories that would be shared. I made it a point to always stop over whenever I was in the area, even if it was a short time. There was never a dull moment. I wish i was able to come visit more often. Sonia had a way of making me feel close to the family even while being states away. If i was ever in Philly for the holidays, she made sure i was included in all of the festivities. She would periodically call or text me to check in or see if there was anything i needed, and to remind me how much she loved me and prayed for me. She told me she was proud of me and it always gave me motivation to continue to push forward. I never doubted that she would come through for me if i ever had to call for help. Leading up to my deployment, i reached out to her because there were people i wanted to make sure i saw before i left and i was limited on time. She told me not to worry about anything, that she would take care of things. She did. I had an amazing going away party at Selena’s house. I will forever be grateful for being able to have that time with everyone before i left. She may be physically gone, but her memory, her laugh, her stories will forever carry on. Im sorry if this text seems all over the place.. the reality of her gone hasnt quite settled in, it may never. I will really miss her. My condolences go out to the rest of the family. Just as Sonia was there for me, I am here for all of you if you ever need to reach out. Love always.
I remember spending weeks at a time at the Bemak house during summers as a kid. Honestly, it happened pretty spontaneously, plans made by cousins via online chats. Sonia rolled with them without hesitation, making every effort to welcome me into her home.
Approval and occasional funding for Burger King walks/runs, trips for Wawa, ice cream, and other expeditions in the backseat of the van. Yelling “Jesus take the wheel” to Sonia’s mild disapproval as she focused on the road in spite of our commotion. When I think of Sonia, I think back to those times. I think of basketball in the back alley accompanied by words of caution from Sonia through the window. I think of how those times evolved for me into dropping in at the Bemak house when working Penn Relay weekends, before the meet would start. I think of how she blessed the world with four wonderful children, that have all grown into incredible human beings with equally incredible partners that I look up to and admire. I think of how fortunate and thankful I am to have known her, and to have had those experiences in my life. Thank you Sonia, for blessing my life in ways that will persist far past these days.
Sonia was a great person whom made me laugh every time we were together. I have a wonderful memory that stands our of Sonia that has always been in my heart and I will always thank her for it. When I was taking care of my brothers kids for a while in my young life, she invited us to her daughters birthday party in order to distract the kids of what they were going through in their lives, it was a wonderful gesture needed so much in that time. You will live in my heart and memories forever! Till we meet again, rest in God’s peace forever! Amen and Amen 🙏 ❤️
There is honestly way too much to say, way too many stories to tell, way too many times we’ve cried, laughed and got upset with each other. Charlie and Sonia’s house was the only place Arthur felt comfortable enough to sleep over. He would always ask when he was going to “Grandma, Grandma, and Grandpas” again for a sleep over. She loved him so much, and he loved her equally. He talks of missing her already. I know the house will not be the same without you, that your truly unpredictable personality will be missed.
I am so happy we had such a wonderful last Thanksgiving together. I was speaking with everyone about how great it was before you were hospitalized, just sitting, telling stories, laughing and eating great food together.
What I am most thankful for though (and what I am so sad I never took the time to say) is Michael. You have managed to raise the man of my dreams, a strong caring provider, a true “man of the house,” who manages to come home after long hours, day after day, with a smile and time to be silly with me and Arthur. Without you, there would be no Michael, without Michael there would be no Arthur. I could never thank you enough, I am indebted to you, always.
Besides that the last conversation we had was about Tara, Sonia often spoke about her grandkids. God, she cared so much about them. And always said that the love that a grandma has is special ❤️. Grandkids make all the difference. Ayana, Evoni, Emmy, Anayise, Sebastian, Leonardo and Arthur. She loved you all more than herself. She’s still with you.