Sonia Ballenger was born on January 28, 1954, in Brooklyn, NY (Cumberland Hospital). Shewas the first of four children to the proud parents of Catalina Colon and Simeon Soto(deceased).

Sonia attended Eli Whitney HS, graduated from Touro College, where she received her BA and graduated from Colorado Technical University where she received her master's in business administration. She was a case manager at Bailey House, Inc and worked as a parent coordinator for the then Board of Education.

Sonia retired from the Board of Education and started Sonia's Empowerment Organization. She was devoted in helping her community in need. She loved cooking, baking, dancing and was a strong family person. Her favorite artists were Sister Sledge and Fifty Cents. She loved animals, especially her pet dogs and cats.

She met the man of her life, Rickey Ballenger, and later wed on April 8, 2022. They were blessed to raise her two children, daughter Wendy and son Mookie.

Sonia was raised Catholic but respected all religions and cared deeply, as mentioned earlier.

Sonia departed this life on December 19, 2025, and she is now in peace with her dad, Simeon Soto.

Sonia survived by her loving family who she cherished dearly, Husband Rickey, daughter Wendy and Son Mookie and her beloved support dog Clifford. Her mother Catalina Colon, her siblings, Jose (Joe), Barbara, Leticia, Brenda.

She is also survived by her extended family, nephews: Jermaine (Godson), Raymond, Joey, Orlando, Coco, Joshua, and Sammy and Danny, nieces: Angela, Kristy, Jessie, Kathy, Essie, Jocelyn, and Rosa and also her other extended family from PR.

Sonia will be dearly missed by all whose lives she's touched.

Lovingly submitted by the Family