RUMFORD – Sonja Siren Johnston, 64, of Hancock Street, died Saturday, July 8, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Newport, N.H., on Oct. 21, 1941, a daughter of Carl and Signe (Lehtinen) Siren.

Sonja was educated in Newport, N.H., schools and was a graduate of Newport High School. She also attended the University of New Hampshire and the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Mass.

She loved music, reading, crocheting and spending time with her family at their camp in New Hampshire.

Sonja’s greatest accomplishment in life was being a wonderful mom.

Surviving are her husband, John M. Johnston Jr. of Rumford; her mother, Signe Ford of Newport, N.H.; a son, Jay C. Johnston and fiance, Brianne Lizotte, of Auburn; stepdaughters, Judith Richardson and husband, Wayne, of South Portland, and Jolene Troiano and husband, Pasquale, of Scarborough; and six grandchildren, Darien and Sarena Richardson, Christina Troiano, John M. Johnston IV, Sarah Johnston and Vanessa Johnston.

She was predeceased by her father; her grandfather, Kaarle Lehtinen; a stepson, John M. Johnston III; and a sister, Ilona Caparros.