Sophie ZMYSLO

27 SEP 1919 - 17 AUG 2017

• BIRTH: 27 SEP 1919, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 17 AUG 2017, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 6 NOV 1954, St Joseph County, Indiana

1.  Dale KOKOT

INDEX

[N153] Sophie G. Kokot
Sep. 27, 1919 - Aug. 17, 2017
SOUTH BEND - Sophie G. Kokot, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, August 17, 2017. Sophie was born September 27, 1919, in South Bend, to the late Michael and Adeline (Grajczyk) Zmyslo. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Alex, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. Sophie was the eldest of 13 children and would often reminisce about her childhood and how she was a “second mother” to her many brothers and sisters and helped her mother in caring for and raising them. A strong and resourceful woman, she also was a pioneer as a working daughter, and then also as a working wife and mother. She married the man of her dreams, Alex Stanley Kokot, a decorated World War II veteran, on November 6, 1954. Sophie confided that she knew Alex was her soul mate when she first met him, and that she passed over many suitors to wait for him to ask for her hand. They purchased their perfect limestone ranch house in a then thriving northwest neighborhood in 1954. She had an indomitable spirit and maintained her home on O'Brien Street by herself until she was an octogenarian. She took great pride in her meticulous yard, and perfectly kept home. She took pride in doing all the mowing, raking, shoveling, and keeping her pristine home in perfect condition by herself. A funny memory we all recall was when she showed her pluck by marching over to a young neighbor's house when she was in her late 70's, to scold him to rake up his leaves! She relocated from her beloved home in 2000. Grandma also held a very special place in the hearts of her three grandchildren. The children loved to spend time at their grandmother's home when they were small. A favorite memory was playing cards with her, and she taught them all her favorite card games including Bunko, Blackjack and Poker. She also taught them all the Polka; we would often arrive to see Sophie joyfully twirling around the room with a baby in her arms singing in Polish and having a ball. Her special recipes won a place in everyone's heart. The children would enjoy her home cooked meals from scratch. She was the original “farm to table” chef as she grew her own vegetables in her backyard. She made her signature dishes such as Chicken Paprikas, Polish Stuffed Peppers, Vegetable Beef Goulash, Barbecue Beef Sandwiches and Sweet and Sour Cabbage from scratch. When Katie left for college she asked her grandmother to share her favorite recipes with her. On family holidays we always cook a recipe from Grandma Sophie as they are truly a legacy from her. Survivors of Sophie include her son, Dale (Marcia) Kokot; grandchildren, Anne (Brian) Cavanaugh, Michael and Alex Kokot; and sisters, Henrietta Kosinski, Wanda (Jim) Benjamin, Theresa Kalicki, and Alice Bystry. Sophie was a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She was also a member of the M.R. Falcons, and the Harvest House at St. Adalbert. Sophie enjoyed playing cards and dancing with her husband Alex, then later gardening and cooking. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law, and her large family which included many brothers and sisters, their beloved spouses and children, and her nieces and nephews. Sophie passed away just weeks after sharing the joy of attending her only granddaughter's wedding on July 22. She watched her son Dale walk Katie down the aisle with joy in her eyes. Katie always said as a little girl, “Grandma I know you will be here with me to dance at my wedding!” And she was indeed present, and radiant, in the first row, as Katie and Brian said their wedding vows. She beamed with pride as she watched her only son give his only daughter away in marriage. Visitation for Sophie will be 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in St. Pius X Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 am. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kaminski Foundation through any 1st Source Bank Location. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net. Published in South Bend Tribune on Aug. 20, 2017