Aranka Sonyi

A memorial visitation for Aranka has been scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Aranka "Goldi" Rozsa Sonyi (nee Urge), of Wayne, NJ and formerly of Franklin, and Sparta, NJ passed away peacefully on May 19th, 2020, at age 102.

Goldi was born on October 18, 1917 in what is presently known as Subotica,Serbia to Katalin Kurcsák and  Erno Urge. As an only child of factory owners, she was afforded an education that was not common to girls during that time. Learning beyond the finishing’s of a young girl, she learned French and Latin and became fluent in four other languages including Serbian, Hungarian, German and English. During the war, Goldi worked in her parent's factory until the close of its doors.

In December of 1944, Goldi married the late Walter H. Sonyi, a decorated Hungarian cavalry officer, but a honeymoon during the war was not possible. Shortly after they wed, Goldi had to seek refuge in Germany as her husband had been taken to a prisoner of war camp.  Goldi worked tirelessly to find him and thankfully they were reunited. They had their only son, the late Walter Sonyi, Jr., on April 1, 1947 in Pfarrkirchen, Germany. Walter Jr. was a blessing and Goldi loved sharing stories of Walter as a child and her struggles as a new mother during the war. In 1951, the family immigrated to America and settled in Franklin, NJ, as there was a large Hungarian community in this area. The family lived in both Franklin, Sparta, and Wayne, NJ.  Goldi and her husband both worked at a local factory in town until retirement. Sparta aka "the lake house" was one of her favorite places to entertain friends, family and her grandchildren. Goldi was a wonderful host and treasured having family and friends at her home for parties and holidays. Some of Goldi’s fondest memories were watching her grandchildren swim in the lake.  Goldi was an avid reader and loved reading the newest autobiographies while enjoying the sunshine by the lake.  

Most of all, beyond all of Goldi’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family and spending time with them meant the world to her.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She and Walter cherished fifty-two years of loving and loyal marriage together until Walter Sr.’s passing in 1996.  Goldi was again struck with tragedy in 2009 when her son, Walter Sonyi Jr., passed away unexpectedly. She was blessed with a long and fruitful life, she touched the lives of many people, and she will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Goldi is survived by her daughter-in-law Theresia Sonyi of Southbury, CT, grandson Ernest Sonyi and his wife Leah of Saunderstown, RI, grandson Andreas and his wife Regina of Southbury, CT, and three great-grandchildren; Katherine Sonyi, Sebastian Sonyi, and Vincent Sonyi.