Sonia Marie Collins, 56, of Long Branch, NJ, affectionately known as “Monk” danced her way into eternity on June 11, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of light, laughter, and love. Born on August 3, 1968, Sonia was a force of nature — loud, proud, charismatic, and beautifully bold. She was the life of every party and the heartbeat of her family, the glue that held generations together through joy, storms, and everything in between.
From her early days, Sonia shined. A proud product of Neptune and Asbury Park schools, she was a dazzling cheerleader, a graceful gymnast, an electric dancer, and a fearless swimmer. As a child, she performed in the beloved neighborhood dance group “Sly and Daughters,” and throughout her life, she remained a vibrant, rhythmic soul — roller skating to the beat of her own drum, sneakers on, speakers blasting, and Michael Jackson playing in the background.
Sonia was a woman of radiant style and fierce spirit. She loved fashion, jewelry, big trucks, and even bigger sound systems. She had a laugh that could fill a stadium and a presence that could turn strangers into family. A proud book lover and horror movie connoisseur, she also held a quiet strength in her faith — believing in God with the same passion she poured into her family.
She was a protector, especially as a big sister, fiercely loving and guiding her younger siblings and cousins like a lioness. No matter what she was facing, Sonia made room to help others. She showed up — strong, resilient, boisterous, and beautifully human.
Sonia now joins her beloved mother Barbara Ann Walton, father Gregory Pearson, sister Diane Overton, and brother Avery Pearson in eternal peace.
She is survived by her two daughters, Lesean Stacey Marie Robinson and Sapphire D’ari Weeks, who carry her strength and sparkle forward. She also leaves behind her precious granddaughter Nyeirah Stacey Marie Robinson-Edwards, Partner William Weeks and nephew Overn Drayton, whom she adored deeply.
Her memory lives on in her many siblings: Inga Brown, Sophia Fong, Desire Bunting, Yvonne Johnson, Tisha Bowens, Somia Collins, Damien Walton, Monquel Walton, Sylvester Walton Jr., and Sylvani Walton — all forever connected by the love and fire that Sonia poured into this family.
To know Sonia was to love her. To lose her is to feel the silence where music used to play — but to remember her is to turn the volume all the way back up.
She was — and always will be — unforgettable.
LOVE YOU MONK! REST EASY❤️