"Even though Sonny had verbal difficulties in communicating we understood her. Mom always looked for Sonny during every trip to see dad and it was so emotionally gratifying to see their eyes shine and smiles grow. The losses are temporarily ours and we will share our connections one day again. Until then we will have fond memories of a wonderful friend. All our love and thanks for all you have done and shared with us.. THE GRAYS "
In loving memory of
Sonja Pearson
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Sonja B. (Sonny) Pearson died peacefully at the St. Vincent Hospice on December 24, 2007, after suffering a debilitating stroke five years ago. Sonny was 85 years old.
Born October 20, 1922, Sonny came to the United States from the Netherlands at the age of five and was an Indianapolis resident all her life. Following college, she worked at Wasson?s department store as a layout artist. After marrying and raising her family, she was an entrepreneur at heart and started the Pine Valley Farm Bean Soup business at age 59. When the Indianapolis Star wrote an article about her soup company she operated from an original log cabin she had reconstructed on her north side property, Sonny became known as the ?Bean Queen of Indianapolis.? In recent years, Sonny sold her beautiful acreage for an exclusive development, which is proudly still named Pine Valley.
Sonny was a member of the Blue Ridge Garden Club, Questers Lockerbie Square Chapter 333, and Antiquarian. She enjoyed many talents including painting, quilting, crafts, cooking, and entertaining her friends.
Sonny is survived by her daughter, S. Susanne Dobson of Cicero; Christen Pearson, and five grandchildren. Her funeral will be held at the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. with calling one hour prior to the funeral. Entombment will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.
Sonny?s daughter, Susanne, expresses her gratitude to the staff of Manor Care at Summer Trace, Carmel, for their care of Sonny over the past five years, and to the compassionate staff at St. Vincent Hospice for providing such a loving environment. Special thanks to Sonny?s ?adopted? daughter, Beth Johnson, for her weekly visits as her geriatric care consultant.
You are invited to visit the Web site, www.leppertmortuary.com, where you may sign the online register, leave a personal message, or make a memorial contribution in Sonny?s name to the Indianapolis Humane Society, 7929 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46268.
Tributes
"I cared for Sonny almost on a daily basis at Summer Trace. Her smile always lit up the room. Even though she could not communicate with words,after working with her for so long I new what she was saying and I will miss having our conversations. I will miss her greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with her family."
"Sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers arewith you."
"To Sonny's Family:Sonny's smile and laugh brings back memories of the years we shared in Questers. God bless all of you and may memories of her remain with you forever. Phyllis Borton"
"Very sorry to hear about your loss. To this day, I still drive by the Pine Valley property that Trevor and I would work on during the summer months. Could not have asked to meet better people. My prayers are with you and your family."
"The "Lady of Laughter" ! A GREAT Motivator in my Life, all 55 years of it! Sonny being present when I was adopted in 1953 by my wonderful parents has always been a part and inspiration in my life. I will miss her however, the memories are pleasant & plentiful."