Obituary of Sonja Irene Angelo

Sonja Irene Angelo, 86, passed peacefully at her home in La Porte, Texas on Saturday, August 17th, 2024.  Sonja was born on June 18, 1938,  in Galveston, Texas.

She graduated from Texas City High School in 1956. It was during her time there that she fell in love with theater and was inspired to teach by her lifelong friend, teacher, and mentor John Martin. 

Sonja went on to pursue her degree in Theatre Education from Stephen F. Austin State University (“Put your hand over your heart”). It was there that she met Jack, the love of her life. They were married in Texas City, Texas on September 6, 1958. (Sonja and Jack would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on September 6, 2024.) After they were married, they moved to Utah where Jack was employed by the U.S. Forest Service. While living in Heber City, they were blessed with their first daughter, Laura. 

Two years later, Sonja and Jack decided to move back to Texas to be closer to family. Once back in Texas, Sonja finished her degree at S.F.A. in 1962. Her first job was teaching Drama and Speech at Ball High School in Galveston. From there, they moved to La Porte in 1964, where they welcomed their second daughter, Andrea. Sonja taught English at La Porte Junior High for a year before being offered the Speech and Drama position at La Porte High School in 1967. 

She taught Theatre Arts for 30 years at La Porte High School before “retiring” in 1996. She continued to direct the annual musical until 2020. Even after she stopped directing, she continued to mentor the musical production staff. For 56 years, she poured her heart and soul into the La Porte High School musicals. She has inspired thousands of students to accomplish what they thought was impossible, bringing out the best in each of them as they discovered their talents. Along the way, she made sure that the spotlight was on everyone except her.

Whenever she was not creating at the theater, she enjoyed spending time with family, relaxing at ‘The House That Jack Built,’ or traveling to see beautiful places. She loved her life and found inspiration in the world around her. Her family was her pride and joy, and she loved to share her love of adventure with her children and grandchildren. She was the heart and soul of her family, and her incredible laugh, bright smile, and special hugs will remain in the hearts of her loved ones forever.            

She was preceded in death by her parents Irene and Tim O’Sullivan and L.T. and Ruth Barnett, along with her brothers Larry Barnett and Julian Barnett.

Sonja is survived by her husband Jack Angelo, her sister Timothy Ann Perfect and husband Doug Perfect, her sisters-in-law Jane Schaper and Barbara Huggins, her daughters Andrea Angelo, and Laura Angelo Barclay and her husband Bret Barclay, her grandchildren Claire Barclay, Brennan Barclay, Casey Boriskie, and Luke Boriskie. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends.

The funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of La Porte located at 9601 West Fairmont Parkway, LaPorte, TX 77571 on Saturday, September 28th at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at St. Mary’s Hall located at 816 Park Drive, La Porte, TX 77571.

In lieu of flowers see La Porte Theater Link on the Page