82R22402 BPG-D
By: Gallego H.R. No. 1498
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Debra
Ann Sontag of Del Rio, who passed away on March 6, 2011, at the age
of 46; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Barbara and Richard Beakley, the
former Deb Beakley was born on April 16, 1964, in Barranquilla,
Colombia, where her father was working as a seismologist; the
family returned to Texas and she excelled in track at Bandera High
School; after attending The University of Texas at Austin and North
Texas State University, she worked for attorneys and legislators as
a paralegal; she later accepted a key position with Hewitt
Associates in Irvine, California, but ultimately heeded the call of
her beloved Texas and settled near family in Del Rio; and
WHEREAS, While working as a hostess at Avanti Italian
Restaurant, she met Bill Sontag, who was captivated by her sunny
disposition and ready smile; the couple married on April 22, 2006,
in Polly's Chapel, a historic stone sanctuary near her family's
ranch; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Sontag worked at a number of Del Rio businesses,
including the Brown Bag, Cafe Centrale, Russell Hardware, San
Felipe Country Club, and Lake Amistad Resort & Marina; a talented
cook, she wrote a popular monthly column for Southwest Texas Live!
magazine that included her own recipes and those of other local
cooks and noted chefs; and
WHEREAS, Unfailingly kind, Ms. Sontag endeared herself to
innumerable people through her gentle and generous nature, as well
as her vivacious personality, and she sought to bring harmony to
every situation; moreover, she loved animals and showered her
golden retrievers with affection; and
WHEREAS, Debbie Sontag brought great joy to others, and those
she leaves behind will forever cherish their memories of time spent
in the company of this warm and gracious woman; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Debra Ann Sontag and
extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
husband, Bill Sontag; to her mother, Barbara Beakley; to her
brothers, John Beakley and his wife, Laura, Richard Beakley and his
wife, Sheila, and James Beakley and his wife, Heidi; to her aunts
and uncles, John and Dale Focke, Jeanne Davis, and Julian and Norma
Gomez; to her stepchildren, Rob Sontag and his wife, Marci, and
their children, Maddie and Ryan Sontag, and Debb Scott and her
husband, Luke; to her sister-in-law, Kathy Beck; and to her many
other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Debra Ann
Sontag.