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Paulus, Sonya Lee
Sonya Lee Paulus, 80, of New York City, formerly of Iowa City, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at New Song Episcopal Church, Coralville, with the Rev. John Harper officiating. A reception will follow. Graveside committal will be 3:30 p.m. Monday at Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City.
Sonya Lee Paulus was born July 10, 1932, in Sioux City, Iowa, thedaughter of Harvey and Hazel (Figley) Goering. She attended Clarke College and received her MFA from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She married Robert J. Paulus of Iowa City on Sept. 10, 1955. Supporting Robert in his pursuit of an acting career, she lived many places, including a year in Bristol, England. After Robert returned to the University of Iowa to obtain his law degree, they moved to Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., Princeton, N.J., and finally, London, England.
Upon Robert's death in 1986, Sonya moved to New York City to be near her daughter, Kristin. There she worked as a receptionist for American Exploration Co., an oil and gas exploration firm. Upon retiring, she moved back to Iowa and worked part time at the Iowa City Municipal office. She eventually returned to New York City to live with her daughter.
Sonya was an avid theater goer and also loved music and the visual arts. And although she lived her final years in an urban setting, she never lost her love for the big sky of Iowa.
Sonya was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; herbrother-in-law Eldon Moss; and her sisters-in-law, Barbara Barnes and Kay Goering.
She is survived by her daughter, Kristin Martha Paulus of New York City; her brother, Gerard Goering of Red Wing, Minn.; her brothers-in-law, the Rev. Richard Paulus and Lawrence (Bud) Barnes; her sisters-in-law, Ellyn Paulus and Joanne Moss of West Branch and Iowa City; and 16 nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Acting Company, PO Box 898, Times Square Station, New York, NY 10108.
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Published Sept. 29, 2012 in the Gazette
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