Obituary of Sonja A. Ash

In peaceful repose on Monday, May 15, 2023, Sonja A. Ash, a luminous spirit of 77 years, concluded her journey in this world at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ. A native daughter of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Sonja was the cherished child of the late Reginald Ash and Mable (Doyle) Bulze. In 1967, she migrated to Brooklyn to continue her studies. A little over a decade later, in 1980, she planted her roots in Scotch Plains, where she resided until her passing.

Blessed with a keen mind, Sonja's educational journey began in her beloved St. Vincent and the Grenadines. While in New York, she studied accounting for sometime at Baruch College, Brooklyn. Later, transitioning her studies to become a nurse. While she worked as a nurse, she furthered her academic pursuits at Jersey State College and Union County Community College.

Prior to her sojourn in Brooklyn, Sonja graced classrooms as a primary school teacher in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Once in Brooklyn, she embraced the noble calling of nursing, beginning at the Metropolitan Hospital and subsequently at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. Later, Sonja turned her compassionate spirit towards helping others heal, working as an addiction counselor at both Lincoln Hospital and the Medical Arts Center in New York City.

Retirement saw Sonja transform her love for nature into a passion for gardening. Her nurturing spirit also found expression on canvas as she discovered a latent talent for painting. Sonja's civic-mindedness saw her contribute to Union County in several board capacities, always devoted to her community's welfare.

Leaving a legacy of love, Sonja is survived by her devoted children, Gerrard Ash and Carla Ash (Leqwan Bell). She was a beloved grandmother to Aiyana Bell, Juwan, and Justice Ash. A matriarch to an extensive clan, she also leaves behind a host of siblings, a large extended family, and a community of friends whose lives were touched by her warmth and kindness.

A visitation in honor of Sonja's memory will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. Following the visitation, a funeral service will commence at 11 a.m., after which Sonja will be laid to rest at the serene Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains.