Sonja Michelle Anderson was born to Bessie & Marilon Anderson Jr. on April 29, 1968 in New York, NY. Affectionately known to her family as Najla Hafeesa, she departed this life on May 21, 2022 after a short bout with breast cancer. Sonja transitioned lovingly surrounded by her Mother and Sister, Hiba.
The first born of 3 children Sonja was raised in The Bronx, New York where she enjoyed ballet and other forms of dance. Dedicated to excellence, Sonja graduated from Walton High School with the unique honor of Perfect Attendance, having never been absent in her four years of High School. Sonja made her Mother very proud when she became the first in her immediate family to go to college and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from CUNY Baruch College.
Sonja loved Movies, TV, Reading, and 80’s Music; and her favorite rapper/actor was LL Cool J. She loved basketball & football. Her favorite team was the Atlanta Falcons.
After living in Jackson Heights, New York for a couple of years, Sonya decided to join her cousins and relocated to the Atlanta area in Georgia where she lived for over a decade. While in Georgia, Sonja looked forward to hosting her Niece Kai for a week each summer and they bonded with such experiences as annual trips to Six Flags and a memorable road trip to the aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee one summer. Sonja loved cooking and during those summers, Kai’s favorite meal prepared by her aunt was turkey wings, collard greens and yams. Sonja enjoyed her administrative career at The Weather Channel and made countless friends while in the Atlanta area. Sonja loved the beach and made life long memories when she visited Jamaica on more than one occasion. Sonja moved back to Rockland Country in 2012. Upon returning to Rockland County, Sonja found Christ and joined St. Charles A.M.E. Zion Church where she grew to know and love her church family.

Sonja was preceded in death by her Maternal & Paternal Grandparents and her beloved Uncle Kojo Adimu.
Sonja is survived by her Mother Bessie, Brother Rahim, Sister Hiba, Niece Kai and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins & Friends.