Pedro, Lonnie

Tuolumne County native and long-time resident Lonnie Lea Pedro died on June 28, 2023 after a long battle with dementia.

Mrs. Pedro was born Lonnie Lea Smathers on May 4, 1936.  After the death of her mother, Grace (Mahoney) Smathers and Grandmother Emma Mahoney, she went to live with her Aunt Evelyn (Mahoney) Craig and Uncle Buford “Bud” Craig in Burbank, California.  Lonnie completed her primary and secondary schooling at the Villa

Cabrini Academy.   After graduating from high school, she briefly worked as a telephone operator for the Los Angeles Exchange before moving back to Tuolumne County.

Once back in Sonora, Lonnie married Robert “Bob” Pedro.  Together they raised 6 children.  Mrs. Pedro dedicated most of her life to supporting her husband and raising their children.  Throughout her life, Mrs. Pedro found time to use her artistic talents such as playing piano and organ and singing with groups from her Glee Club in high school to the local “Sweet Adelines” as an adult.  Mrs. Pedro also enjoyed sketching in charcoal and painting with oil paints as well as sewing, crocheting and knitting.  Many of her creations are still being enjoyed by her family.   As her children grew, Mrs. Pedro was able to work for a local caterer and as a cafeteria worker for Sonora Community Hospital (now known as Adventist Health Sonora).   She was a great cook in her own right and a voracious reader known to check out an armful of books every week from the County Library.

Mrs. Pedro is survived by her children: Mike Pedro; Chris Pedro; Craig Pedro; Michelle Pedro; Lisa (Pedro) Anderson; and Mara (Pedro) Courtroul along with 10 grandchildren and 9 great–grandchildren.  Mrs. Pedro was greatly loved by all her family.  She is preceded in death by her former husband of 33 years Bob Pedro.

A chapel service will be held Friday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home.

Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements

• Date of Death: 06/28/2023
• Age: 87
• Residence: Sonora, CA
• Services: At the Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home on Friday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m.