Sonja was my very first best friend. We both grew up in Glasgow Village and lived across the street from one another and played everyday during our pre-school years up until I moved away at age 12. Sonja's father taught both of us how to ride a bike without training wheels and introduced us to boating and skiing. Sonja sure did love to have fun. She learned that from her parents at a very early age. They were a wonderful family who I loved being part of during those very early years. I will never forget my beautiful, fun loving, talented best friend, Sonja. I feel so very blessed to have known you, your husband, and family.


Sonja and I grew up within blocks of each other. I knew her from waiting for the school bus and riding the bus as we rode to school. She was in some of my classes and was a very sweet and wonderful person to know. She was always laughing and smiling and I have thought about her often over the years. It was a shock to me to see her on this list, and I know her family must miss her dearly. I know what it is to suffer a loss as I, too, lost my beloved husband decades ago and raised my two daughters alone. I know Sonja is watching over her girls, husband, family and friends from heaven, as my late husband is watching his. God bless you Sonja and your loved ones left behind. You are a true friend.


My sister, Pat Kelly Heacock, and I knew Sonja and had been to parties with her and her husband, Ed Carter, over the years. She and her husband had two girls, both of whom are married, with children. They also raised and trained Newfoundland Dogs. She always had her dogs in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Downtown St. Louis. We just went to the parade and missed seeing her and her dogs. We still see Sonja's husband, Ed. He still misses her since her death in 2005.


I have a special memory of Sonja. When we were 13 or 14, we played softball in a Glasgow Village girls league. Sonja was a wisp of a girl-very tiny. We were in the bottom of the last inning of a game at Wilson Park and our team was hanging onto a one run lead by a thread. The other team had the bases loaded with two outs and the batter hit a scorching line drive to right field. Somehow, Sonja made an impossible one-handed catch, preserving our victory. Our entire team converged on Sonja in right field, lifted her up above our shoulders and carried her off the field in a joyous celebration. I still can see Sonja catching that ball. It was a wonderful moment for her and our team.


I remember Sonja as a spunky teenager, always ready with the next great idea or to join in a fun activity. I'll bet no one ever called her a wallflower in her whole life!