Sonya Dockett Nwachukwu ’84 died on August 6, 2015, in Avon, Connecticut.

(The following appeared in The Hartford Courant on August 16, 2015)

Sonya Denise Dockett Nwachukwu, Esq., 52, was born on March 3, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Theresa Ann Dockett and the late Preston Baldwin. She was raised by her grandmother Theresa Dockett. Sonya peacefully departed her earthly life on Wednesday August 5, 2015. Sonya leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Anthony, their children, Anthony Chinedu and Delaney Adanna, of Avon, CT her sister Patrice Pickens of Detroit, MI, her grandmother Theresa Dockett of Detroit, MI, a dearly loved uncle, Donald Dockett of Killen, TX, her cherished in-laws, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Sonya completed her primary education in the Detroit public school system, where she dreamed big and had aspirations of being an attorney. That spirit to succeed was recognized by a mentor who introduced her to Outward Bound, paving the way to an academic scholarship to Bowdoin College where she successfully obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. Sonya went on to attend the University Of Maryland School Of Law where she served as the Editor-in-Chief, Maryland Journal of International Law and Trade and Treasurer, Black Law Students Association. She was also a teaching assistant at the law school and interned with the United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York, Civil Division. Upon receiving her Juris Doctor degree, Sonya was recognized by the faculty with the William P. Cunningham Award given to the graduate who achieves the highest average for scholarship. Sonya was admitted to the Connecticut State Bar in 1990 and began her professional career as in-house Counsel at Aetna. She went on to join ConnectiCare in 2000 as Legal Counsel where she continued to assume progressive roles of responsibility to VP and Associate General Counsel. She later resigned in 2009 to devote her energies to her family and her philanthropic passions.