T. Kuklo, Sophia

Sophia (Sophie) Theresa Szescila Kuklo, 80, passed away at her home on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She was born February 1, 1923, in Dickson City, PA, one of eight children of Frank Szescila and Veronica Safinowski. She graduated from Dickson City High School in 1941. Upon her marriage to John F. Kuklo in 1943, she moved to Newark, New Jersey. She later moved to Bloomfield, NJ where she raised her family until moving to Upstate New York in 1968. She had worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in NJ and at Willard Psychiatric Center until her retirement in 1985.

Sophie was a member of St. James the Apostle Church. She lived and loved her Catholic faith. She was a loving mother and grandmother, was very involved in raising her three grandchildren, and will be greatly missed. She enjoyed her home, sewing, quilting, reading, shopping, cooking and collecting cookbooks.

Sophie was predeceased by her husband in 1963. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her brothers, Chester (Bob) Szescila, Joseph, Frank, Walter (Sam), Anthony (Tony) and Stanley (Lefty). She is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann Kuklo of Trumansburg, NY; her grandchildren, Maria Peterson (Roger) Vargas of Hyde Park, NY; Tara Peterson and Adam Drake, both of Trumansburg; and by a great-granddaughter, Yessenia Vargas. She is also survived by her sister, Lottie Judd of Trumansburg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 from 7-9 pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Eugene O'Hara, OFM Cap. at St. James the Apostle Church, 17 Whig Street, at 10 am on Wednesday, May 21, 2003. Interment will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Additional information my be obtained by calling the funeral home at 1-888-534-5446.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley, Director