Sonja M. Tateo's Obituary
Our beloved Sonja Marie Tateo departed this world peacefully at home on December 8, 2024. Born on December 20, 1956, in Berkeley, CA, to Donald B. Apperson and Coline D. Henry, Sonja spent her entire life in the East Bay, where she was deeply committed to giving back to the community she loved.
A proud alumna of Bishop O'Dowd High School Class of 1974 and a distinguished graduate of UC Berkeley, Sonja dedicated 27 years of her career to serving as a probation officer for Alameda County Corrections. Her unwavering commitment to justice and rehabilitation made her a highly respected figure within the system and a guiding light for many.
Sonja's passion extended well beyond her professional life. She served as an active board member of Options Recovery in Berkeley, CA, where her dedication to helping others overcome their struggles was evident in all her endeavors. She found immense joy in traveling, a love she inherited from her mother, and cherished the many adventures she had in St. Croix, where she spent most of her time on the beach. Sonja also had a fondness for Las Vegas and enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska with her dear friends Ida and Daniel Payomo.
Her mornings were often spent swimming with the Aquanuts at the Oakland Hills Tennis Club, a testament to her active and engaged lifestyle. Sonja was the glue that held her family together, a spiritual and beautiful soul whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she encountered.
Sonja was preceded in death by her son Carlo (Leiana Pahulu) and brother Troy Apperson. Sonja was the beloved wife of husband Guido Tateo for 45 years, loving mother to son Antonio (Vicky), daughter to stepmother Lorraine Apperson, sister to Donald Apperson (Sheri), Darin Apperson (Elizabeth), Carl B. Metoyer Jr. (Diana), Ronald Metoyer (Julie) and Monique Metoyer (Donald), Sister-in-law to Gino Tateo (Deb) and Olga Medina (Mingo), niece to Lurline White, John Apperson, Ingrid Santangelo (Steve), Robert Ford (Candi), Alice Henry and LeVelle Henry, cousin to Stan White, Malik White, Angela Taylor and many others. Sonja was a proud grandmother to two lovely granddaughters, Cora and Lesieli, who affectionately called her Nana. She cherished them deeply. Sonja also had a large circle of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Sonja was a kind, gentle, generous, humble, and adventurous woman who touched many lives with her smile, beauty, warmth, wisdom, and compassion. We are eternally grateful for the time we had with her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.
May her spirit find eternal peace in the tranquil seas she cherished so dearly.
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