Sonja Pamela O'Regan

CROSS PLAINS-Sonja Pamela O'Regan, age 73, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016.  She was born in London, England on July 2, 1943, the daughter of Ronald Frederick and Norah (Clements) O'Regan.  Sonja along with her family moved to Toronto, Canada when she was nine years old. Three years later the family relocated to the Detroit, Michigan area which Sonja ever since called home. She received her Bachelor degree in English from the University of Detroit.  During 1968-1969 Sonja taught English at the Marynoll Sister's School in Hong Kong, the start of a love for China.  Sonja returned to Detroit in 1969 and began a 12 year career teaching in the Detroit School system.  She left teaching to earn her Masters degree in English from Wayne State University in Detroit and began her second career as a Technical Writer.  Sonja was united in marriage to Jeff Buchholz on July 10, 1987 in St. Claire Shores, Michigan and they moved to the Madison area to grow his business. Sonja continued her career as a Technical Writer for several Madison area companies, most recently for the Berbee Information Networks in Fitchburg which was acquired by CDW, where she worked as a writer in Proposal Development until her passing. During that time her interest in China rose again and Jeff and Sonja took two trips to China in 1995 and 1999 to adopt their beloved daughters Claire and Chloe.  Sonja was active in growing the Madison Families with Children from China organization as a support network for other families that had chosen to expand their families from China.  In addition to her love of her work as a writer, Sonja was a devoted mother to her two girls. She was an active supporter of her daughters' passion for figure skating and dance. Since both are now young women nearing the completion of their college studies, I'm sure Sonja's greatest regret in her passing is that she will miss the next step in the development of their lives and careers. Sonja is survived by her loving husband Jeff Buchholz;  her two beautiful daughters, Claire Buchholz and Chloe Collins; her siblings, Christopher (Judith) O'Regan and Catherine (Michael) Bereza and nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents.   A Celebration of Sonja's Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.