Sonisa Reneé Masiln (48) of Ada, Michigan, always marched to the beat of a different drummer, but sadly, on June 20, 2023, her parade suddenly ended and she let go of the life she lived here on earth.

Born in Lafayette, Indiana, on February 5, 1975, to parents Edward W. Maslin and Terri L. Maslin 'nee Hanna, Sonisa moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a child, where she attended Union High School. She went on to work as a telephone operator, telecommunications lineman and eventually a construction engineer for telecommunications infrastructure implementation in Houston, Texas.  Most knew her as a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece and cousin, whose life experiences often prevented her from living the life she deserved and so desperately pursued.  But Sonisa was so much more.

As a high school sophomore, she scored high enough on her practice SAT to get into Ivy League schools, and although she decided that pursing a higher education was not for her, knowledge and information of all sorts always fed her soul.  She read the Oxford Dictionary more than once, the Holy Bible, the Quran, Shakespeare, The Iliad and the Odessey and had a collection of various encyclopedias.  She loved walking in the rain, stomping in mud puddles, insects, elephants, space and alien life, and loved to research and refute various conspiracy theories.   She was intrigued by the inner workings of the human body and enjoyed every type and genre of music she could find.  She sought peace through nature and living in the woods soothed her.

While her last few years caused her more pain than pleasure, she recently discovered she had talent as an artist and began painting those things in nature that brought her joy.  Her time with Grand Valley Artists among other creatives was her happy place.

She was pre-deceased by grandparents William Hanna (Lafayette, IN), Ruth Wilson (Greenville, MI), Joseph Maslin (Lafayette, IN), Elizabeth (Gig) Roudebush (Mulberry, IN), and father, Edward Maslin (Decatur, AL).

She will be forever loved and missed by her mother, Terri Hanna (Grand Rapids, MI), daughters Olivia Maslin, Cecelia Nicholls and Sylvia Maslin (all of Grand Rapids, MI), grandson Greyson Nicholls-Hansen (Grand Rapids, MI), sister Bethany Howard (Tom) (Dorr), nephew Dylan Howard (Dorr), niece Adena Howard (Dorr), and step-family Jan Maslin, Cody Lemon (Jon), along with close friends Tracy Raak, Joe Doering, Lynn Schwenning and Chandra McDonald.  She touched many others in her short life who will continue to hold a place in their hearts for her.

A private graveside service will be held in East Montcalm Cemetery, followed by an open Celebration of Life at Grand Valley Artists, 2661 29th Street, SE, Suite B, Grand Rapids MI, on August 26 from 2 to 4 pm.

In memorium contributions can be made in Sonisa's name to the Sonisa Maslin Scholarship Fund at Grand Valley Artists or an organization of your choice that provides assistance for families touched by suicide.

May everyone who knew her know that she now rests in peace.  Love you baby girl.