Sonya "Sonny" Jeanne Salvato

Sonya Jeanne “Sunny” Ferris Salvato, born January 29, 1945, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the age of 80.

Sunny was the daughter of Betty (Baker) and James William Ferris, and was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James William Ferris Jr. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Anthony Vincent “Vince” Salvato Jr.; their children, Tony (Chris) and Amy; her beloved grandson, Cole Salvato; sister-in-law, Sharon Ferris; nephew, Trey Ferris; and her extended Baker and Ferris families.

Sunny was a loving, kind, and deeply caring person—a devoted wife, mother, nurse, and friend whose quiet strength and thoughtfulness touched everyone she met.

She grew up in Springdale, attending Springdale School through seventh grade before graduating from Princeton High School in 1963, as part of the first class to complete five years in the “new” high school building. After high school, she attended The Ohio State University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It was at OSU that she formed a lifelong friendship with her roommate, Linda Meyer—a friendship that endured through the busy decades of children, careers and distance.

One week after graduating in 1967, Sunny married Vince at Sharonville Presbyterian Church. Their love story began at a 7th/8th-grade dance in the Springdale School gym and grew into a partnership that lasted nearly six decades. With just $50 borrowed from her father, they started married life in a modest apartment next to the gym of Lakemont Academy in upstate New York, where grilled cheese and tomato soup marked their first dinner together.

Sunny began her nursing career at Penn Yan Hospital and later served as a school nurse at Lakemont Academy. After two years in New York, the couple returned to Cincinnati, where Sunny worked as a medical-surgical nurse, nursing instructor, and floor nurse at several hospitals, including Providence and Bethesda, and at Maple Knoll nursing home. She worked tirelessly, balancing her professional dedication with her desire to be present for her family through the busy 1970s and 80s.

Sunny and Vince settled into their first home in Forest Park when their son Tony was born in 1971, followed by their daughter Amy in 1974. She embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, finding joy in her children, their small garden, a family dog, and good friends.

In 1977, they designed and built their family home on Park Avenue in Springdale, made possible with the help of Sunny’s brother Jimmy who was their general contractor. Sister-in-law Sharon and nephew Trey spent many days supporting the effort. From surviving the September rains and the Blizzard of 1977-1978, living with Rich Canter for almost a year instead of the anticipated three months and having a “sod busters” party made the house a home with countless family memories.

Sunny cherished her home and took pride in creating a warm, welcoming space. She found joy in the rituals of holidays—baking cookies with cousins, handcrafting salt dough ornaments, sewing costumes for Halloween, and painting or wallpapering rooms until they felt just right.

Family adventures were a hallmark of her life. From camping trips where “the journey was as important as the destination,” to visiting Civil War sites, exploring New England’s backroads, and even a memorable Disney World camping trip, Sunny made every trip about togetherness, curiosity, and simple joy.

As the kids grew and left for college—Tony to Bradley and Amy to Wooster—Sunny gracefully entered a new chapter. After helping her children through their college years, she retired from nursing, keeping a promise from the early days of marriage.

She and Vince downsized to a condo near his parents, where they enjoyed a quieter life filled with travel, antiquing, and most importantly, time with their grandson Cole, who brought immeasurable happiness to her later years. She became a proud “soccer grandma,” cheering from the sidelines and celebrating every milestone of Cole’s life, from his childhood games to his achievements in college at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Sunny and Vince shared many travels together—exploring cities across the country during Vince’s work assignments, planning weekends of sightseeing, and enjoying winters in Florida with Marcia and Rich. Her final big trip, “The Great Western Road Trip,” was a celebration of curiosity and companionship, filled with laughter, breathtaking sights, and cherished visits with Diane and Joe and friends along the way.

In 2020, as her health began to decline during the COVID pandemic, Sunny spent more time at home. Even as illness limited her independence, she remained surrounded by love—reciting nursery rhymes with Vince, enjoying visits from family and friends, and being cared for with compassion by dedicated aides Shenee and Shelby and her hospice nurse, Regina. Her passing was peaceful, with a Hallmark movie playing softly in the background—a fitting reminder of her love for simple, comforting moments.

Sunny’s life was one of quiet strength, generosity, and unwavering love—a life well-lived, surrounded by family, friends, and a deep appreciation for the everyday joys that made her journey so full.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Ohio Living Village Hospice, The Scratching Post Cat Shelter, PBS, NPR, or a charity of your choice.

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with Sunny.

With love and gratitude, Vince Salvato P.S. She might have told this story a little differently—but it would still be the story of a good life, well lived.

Visitation will be held at Vorhis & Ryan Funeral Home, 11365 Springfield Pk., Springdale, OH 45246 on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 5-7PM.

Graveside service and burial will be private.