Sonya Deoneicia Nelthropp passed into eternity on April 3. She is predeceased by her father, Earle Bromley Nelthropp and mother, Ruby Deoneicia Tyson Nelthropp. Born in New York, she was three years old when her parents returned to St. Thomas. She considered herself a true Virgin Islander because she spent her formative years living for extended periods on all three islands as well as receiving her education from the territory’s school systems. She attended Anglican School, (All Saints Parish School) and graduated from Antilles School, and finished high school at Oakwood Friends School in New York. Summers were spent on St. Croix with cousins (the Stephanous and Winifred O’Reilly families); later, when she returned for school vacations, she lived on St. John when her father was the administrator. After high school graduation from Oakwood Friends School, Sonya returned home to attend the College of the Virgin Islands, earning her baccalaureate degree in biology. She taught science for five years at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. One of the class projects that has endured was the planting of many of the trees that now flourish on the school campus, providing both beauty and shade to present and future faculty and students.
In 1977, Sonya left St. Thomas to again pursue educational opportunities. During this time period, she became a Coast Guard licensed marine engineer and a certified welder; she enjoyed the challenge and adventure of life on the open ocean and exotic ports of call: East Coast of South America, Europe, North Africa, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, East Coast of the U.S. In 1985, she attended Harvard University where she earned her master’s degree. Upon her graduation from Harvard in 1986, she was hired as a project engineer in the Wastewater Division of the newly created Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, an agency formed to handle water and wastewater and pollution issues for the state of Massachusetts. Sonya established and managed the engineering department for the Deer Island Treatment Plant, which has been recognized as a model of effectiveness and efficiency for wastewater treatment and the cornerstone of the 3.2 billion dollar, MWRA Boston Harbor Project. She stayed with the authority for 13 years and in 1999 returned home.
Because of her experience as biologist, educator, engineer, and manager, she was hired as a technical assistant to the Commissioner in the Department of Public Works, charged with evaluating the status of the long standing issues with waste water and solid waste management in the territory. She worked with a small, but very dedicated team, often working long hours to create an agency that would provide quality wastewater and solid waste management services to the community as well as protecting the environment and public health. That agency would be known as the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority voted into existence in 2004. She acknowledged that this work as the most rewarding and satisfying endeavor of her professional career. She served as the authority’s interim executive director and then as its chief planning officer in charge of the Planning and Program Development Division with oversight of the Engineering Division and the Environmental Programs Division. Through the establishment of VIWMA Sonya’s unwavering commitment ensure the community would be protected by having the best waste management services, which would also serve to preserve and protect the environment of these islands.
Although committed to her professional endeavors, she was not one dimensional; she had a fun side. She loved a nicely chilled sweet Riesling wine or a well made Cruzan and coke with local lime. She loved her West Indian food and was a fair cook when she wanted to be; making a decent kalaloo with butterball fungi, stewed oxtail, red pea soup or a Vienna cake. She enjoyed sitting on her porch before work with a cup of tea and a toasted French roll for breakfast. Her two dogs, Max and Lil Bit, kept her company along with many friends who enjoyed movie going, champagne and backgammon on the porch. Her home was filled with art from local artists, and she enjoyed dancing to Stanley and the 10 Sleepless Nights, and the Mighty Sparrow – classics.
She was a gracious hostess enacting an open door policy wherever she called home be it in Salem, Mass. or Caret Bay, V.I. In the states, gatherings at her home provided her guests with a cultural immersion in West Indian food, music, art, history and dance. No one left these events early or hungry. Her keen intellect, sharp wit and unapologetic common sense offered refreshingly honest and accurate perspectives. She was a woman of substance with a strong, well-reasoned opinion and an acerbic sense of humor (not always appreciated by all). Whether discussing EPA compliance issues, how to make guava berry liquor, flamboyant trees or the latest book she was reading, Sonya could be counted on to bring something fresh and new to the discussion.
When she returned home, she lovingly cared for her mother Ruby until her passing in 2009. Surviving relatives include her sisters: Claudia Nelthropp Keller and Pat Nelthropp Beard; brother, Earle Nelthropp; cousins: the Nelthropp families of St. Thomas and St. Croix, the O’Reilly family of St. Croix and the Tyson families of Florida and Wales.
Sonya Deoneicia Nelthropp has passed from us. Her contagious humor and sharp intellect crossed time zones and mountains to brighten our days. She was a woman of strength, elegance and principle and will not easily be forgotten. She leaves behind an emptiness that will linger. Her imprint on us is indelible and we will miss her.
Information on memorial arrangements will be available through her family.
