Sonja M. Belford

SONJA M. BELFORD (Mengersen) (Gundersen), 83, a long time resident of Paramus, passed away at home on Thursday, July 22, 2021. She was born on December 18, 1937 to Gunner and Emily Gundersen. She was predeceased by her brother Robert and her sisters Belinda and Tracy. She is survived by her loving brothers Gunner and his wife Sally, and Roger and his wife Arlene, and her sister Michelle Grabley. She married John Mengersen in 1958, divorced in 1975, and reunited in 1997. She is survived by her loving son Mark Mengersen and his wife Hope of Paramus, as well as her loving daughter Wendy McNally and her husband Robert of Wyckoff. She is also survived by her grandchildren Michael McNally, Rachel McNally, Matthew McNally, Norell Mengersen and Boden Mengersen, whom she loved dearly. She also loved and was very attached to her cat Bella.
After she graduated from Ridgewood High School, she graduated from an airline stewardess school in Hartford, Conn. and worked for Allegheny and Mohawk Airlines. Later she modeled, designed and produced home furnishings.  In the 1950's Sonja was an accomplished roller skater at the Paramus Roller Rink, and was "Miss NY & NJ Volunteer Fireman. She was also selected to be the first "Ranger Sweetheart" of the USS Ranger CVA-61, and selected by a newspaper as "The Typical American Girl."  Sonja was a very active member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ridgewood.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Emmanuel Baptist Church 14 Hope St. Ridgewood on Tuesday, August 3rd at 11am.