Obituaries

Former Councilwoman Sonja Hanlon Dies at Age 68

Services will be held Today and Friday

Sonja (nee Bysarovich) Hanlon wore many hats during her lifetime: from Republican councilwoman to Oradell Board of Ed member to chair of the Oradell Republican County Committee and real estate agent.

The West Virginia native and longtime Oradell resident died early Tuesday morning.

Sonja attended West Virginia University where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, and after moving to Northern New Jersey, received a BA in English from William Paterson University. She later completed most of the work towards her Masters in Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary. She taught theology at Paramus Catholic Girls High School for several years.

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As an active member of the community in Oradell, Sonja was dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the borough. With that in mind, she served on the Council, Board of Education and with the Oradell Republican County Committee.

During her one term on the Council, from 2002-04, Hanlon served as the liaison to the Library Board of Trustees, working with the Board on the building's renovation plans. And even after her term ended, she was a continued presence at meetings as an outspoken advocate against the reopening of the Elm Street Bridge, the location of an additional cell tower, and the ongoing tax inequality issue over how the River Dell School district is funded.

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As chair of the Oradell Republicans for a decade, Hanlon alongside the other committee members, organized during the campaign season for the reelection of Republican council members. She also worked with the Oradell Republican Club to host annual coat and food drives.

Sonja volunteered her time with the Book and Needle Club of Oradell, the Rotary Club of Oradell-Emerson (and served as a former charter member), was president of the OPS PTA for two terms, lead girl scouts, cheerleading, and headed and contributed to various other organizations. She was an active member at St. Joseph Church for nearly 50 years, having served as a lector, a Eucharistic minister and on the Board of Ed for St. Joseph School.

For the past 28 years, she was employed with RE/MAX of New Jersey as a real estate agent. As a real estate agent, Hanlon oversaw the sale of commercial, residential and condominium units throughout Bergen County.

Sonja is survived by her daughters Melissa Hanlon and Andrea Hanlon, both of Oradell, and grandchildren Alexander and Grace. Also survived by former husband John Hanlon of Haworth, sister Dolores Bysarovich Clovis,  brothers and sisters-in-law Paul Clovis, Marty and Bobbie Hanlon and Horace and Barbara Shaw and many nieces and nephews. 

The youngest of eight children, she is predeceased her parents Joe and Josephine Bysarovich of New Cumberland, West Virginia, brothers Stanley, Laurence, Joseph, Chester, and Eugene; and sister Laura Bysarovich Binkoski.

Visitations will be held at , 268 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, on Thursday and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A service is planned for 9 a.m. on Saturday morning at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Haworth. Hanlon will be buried in New Cumberland, West Virginia.

Memorial donations may be made to the  Daniel and Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center, 1 Valley Health Plaza, NJ 07652.


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