Sonya Rea Pandya

SALEM -Sonya Rea Pandya, 61, of Salem, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 27, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on December 12, 1964, in Salem, Ohio, Sonya was the daughter of the late Dr. Najib Pandya and Lois (Lippiatt) Pandya. Sonya lived a life defined by curiosity, independence, and purpose.

Sonya was a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1982, and continued her education at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sonya earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology with a minor in Microbiology. Her early career began in MedTech with Becton Dickinson in Baltimore, Maryland, before she transitioned into environmental regulatory EPA work in Portland, Oregon municipal wastewater facilities. Her drive to make a positive impact later led her to Bend, Oregon, where she joined friends in founding Oregon’s Wild Harvest, a naturopathic herb farm. There, she served as both botanist and FDA compliance expert, bringing her scientific background to the natural world she cherished.

Sonya’s free spirit refused to be constrained by materialism; she sought meaning in living close to the earth. A gifted gardener and farmer, she could nurture life from the most unlikely soil.

Sonya's memory will be carried on by her daughter, Sophia Lindner of Salem, Ohio; sister, Sheila (David) Sweval of La Porte, IN; and her brother.

Close friends and family are invited to remember her in thought and prayer, in lieu of a formal service.

Arrangements are being handled by Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

To view Sonya's obituary and send condolences, visit www.starkmemorial.com.

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