Theresa (Betty) Sonson Powers and Frank Leo Sonson Jr.

Sister and brother Theresa (Betty) Sonson Powers and Frank Leo Sonson Jr. (pictured here in 2017) grew up in a large, extended Italian immigrant family Washington. The Sonson surname was so ubiquitous in Washington, PA, during the early-to-late 20th century that every class at Immaculate Conception School had a least one Sonson – and often as many of three, said Betty.

Theresa (Betty) Sonson Powers and Frank Leo Sonson Jr.

Frank Sonson Sr. was one of the first Italian Americans to run for public office in Washington.