Sonia Hernandez Tiangco

Sonia Tiangco passed away peacefully at home in Urbana, Maryland on September 28, 2024, at the age of 84 beside her beloved husband, Tomas Tiangco. 

Sonia was born on August 7, 1940, in Alaminos, Philippines. She was the daughter of her late father, Leopoldo Hernandez and mother Serenidad Alzona Hernandez. Sonia was the second youngest out of the four siblings. 

Sonia attended Arellano High School and graduated in 1957. She then went to college at Mapua Institute of Technology, majored in Banking and Finance and graduated in 1961.

On September 22, 1963, Sonia married her high school sweetheart, Tomas Tiangco. They were blessed with 3 sons, Gus, Tom Jr, and Paul. 

While raising a young family, Sonia also worked as a travel agent in 1960s. It was a perfect job for her as she was very outgoing, always happy to help and loved to be around people. Because of her work dedication, she was recognized as a top performer and became a distinguished member of the Philippine International Association of Travel Agents (PIATA). She was awarded to travel internationally. One of the places she travelled to was a virgin flight from the Philippines to Africa. 

In 1970, the family immigrated to United States. Sonia worked at Union Bank of California for 17 years.

Sonia was a two-time cancer survivor. With her love for the Lord, her positive and vibrant outlook in life, Sonia was able to beat a breast cancer in 1990’s and a fourth stage carcinoma in late 2016. Unfortunately, in 2017 she was diagnosed with dementia. But, even with dementia, Sonia was still very pleasant, happy and always looked at the bright side of life. 

Sonia is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Tomas Tiangco, her three sons, Gus, Tom, Jr. and Paul, daughters in law, Edith and Yumi, grandchildren Melissa, Liane, Laurin, Jennifer and Pamela, and seven great grandchildren, Isabelle, Meeko, Abigail, Greyson, Charlotte, Nixon and Natalia. 

The family will receive friends from 12-5 pm on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.