Sophia Theresa Sokolowski Purcell, 98 a resident of Bernalillo NM for the last five

years and previously of Trenton NJ and Hamilton Township NJ for the previous 93

years passed into the care of our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 27,

2024, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Sophia, a first generation Polish American citizen, was born in Trenton, New

Jersey on September 30, 1925, to Anthony Sokolowski and Stanislawa Duda

Sokolowski, one of nine children. Sophia was fiercely proud of her Polish heritage

and worked hard all her life to carry on the Polish traditions, remaining fluent in

speaking and writing Polish, with her sisters baking dozens of nut rolls, kiffles and

Kruschiki for Christmas and of course sharing her golumpki with the whole family.

Sophia was a loving mother, grandmother, and aunt and was never happier than

when she was surrounded by her family, especially singing around the piano in

the basement or playing Quoits at family barbecues during the summer.

Sophia was a great wife and mother who was proud of her cooking, who kept an

immaculate house, who made sure the girls were well dressed, oftentimes

sewing clothes for the girls and making sure they had what they needed to be

successful.

Sophia was a spiritual woman who adored our Blessed Mother and spoke to her

until the very end. Sophia died while receiving the last rites and had Mary by her

side to welcome her into heaven.

Sophia is predeceased by her parents Anthony and Stanislawa Sokolowski, her

husband Mark Purcell, her partner Bill Beetle, her daughter Theresa Purcell Cone,

her brothers Anthony Sokolowski, Ted Sokolowski, Walter Sokolowski, Edward

Sokolowski, and her sisters Mary Toth, Helen VanCamp, Lottie Prato.

Sophie is survived by her daughter Patricia Purcell Aguilar and husband Paul who

cared for her until the end, her grandson, Andrew P. Aguilar and wife Samantha,

her brother John Sokolowski and wife Rose, her sister-in-law Mary Sokolowski,

her son-in-law Steve Cone, her very special nephew and niece Wayne and

Marylou VanCamp and many nephews and nieces.

Sophia's family would like to extend a special thanks to Monica Lovato and the

staff at Casita Senior Living of Rio Rancho New Mexico. Their care of Sophia was

second to none, the love and care they provided to mom is greatly appreciated.

Interment of cremated remains will take place at Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic

Cemetery #02, Hamilton New Jersey on Saturday May 4, 2024, at 10:00am. In lieu

of flowers, support your favorite charity in Sophia's name.