Sophie Cooper Niedzwiecki

Sophie Cooper Niedzwiecki , 96, lifelong resident of Frackville, passed away peacefully December 24, 2016 at Seton Manor Convalescent Center in Orwigsburg.

Born in Frackville, on February 18, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Mikolaj (Mike) and Anastasia Melnick Cooper. She worked as a housekeeper at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville for over 40 years.

She was a devout member of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville where she belonged to the Sacred Heart Society and was the moderator of the Girls' Sodality of the BVM for over 30 years. Sophie also was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Frackville.

She was an avid bowler. She enjoyed vacationing especially visiting the beach and Disney World. She enjoyed going on the rides and seeing new and different places.

She was preceded in death by her husband Chester S. Niedzwiecki in 1976, a son John in 2016, her great-granddaughter Gabriella Vogel in 2011, as well as her brother John Cooper and her four sisters: Anna Maskalick, Mary Cooper, Jene Cooper and Julia Narbut.

Sophie is survived by her five children: Chester Niedzwiecki and his spouse Doris, Orwigsburg, Ann Jean Shimko and her spouse George, Frackville, Mary Ann Miller, widow of Donald Miller, Morea, Barbara Schweitzer, widow of Joseph Schweitzer, Honesdale and Robert Niedzwiecki and his spouse Marie, Red Hill; her daughter in law, Susan Niedwiecki, widow of her son John, Dillsburg; 18 grandchildren: Dorothy Sterner and her spouse Steven, Deer Lake, Dr. John Niedzwiecki and his spouse Dr. Megan Streams, Nashville, TN, George Shimko and his spouse Donna, Frackville, Joseph Shimko and his spouse Kimberly, Tamaqua, Stephen Shimko and his spouse Lori, John Niedzwiecki and his spouse Stephanie, Burke, VA, Stacey Niedzwiecki, Dillsburg, Donald Miller and his spouse Michelle, Shenandoah, Richard Miller, Morea, Melissa Curnow and her spouse Kyle, Mahanoy City, Nicholas Miller, Morea, Donette Miller, Petersburg, VA, Colleen Miller, Mahanoy City, John Vogel and his spouse Carolynn, Ocean View, DE, Christina Tipton and her spouse Edwin, Tucson, AZ, Derek Vogel and his spouse Jessica, Minneola, FL, Elizabeth Stonewall and her spouse Patrick, Hereford, Sara Gillander and her spouse Christopher, Pottstown; 28 great-grandchildren: Emily, Mason, Devan, Hunter, Hannah, George, Monika, Melanie, Joshua, Samantha, Timothy, Isaac, Riley, Haley, Grace, Jacqueline, William, Ruby, Donovan, Madison, Kaitlyn, Alexander, Ethan, Cadence, Jayden, Corinne, Sebastian and Amelia; 2 great-great grandchildren: Kaeson and Jinn; a nephew Nicholas Maskalick, Pittsburgh.

Divine Liturgy will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville with Rev. Petro Zvarych, pastor, celebrating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Englewood, Frackville. Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville on Friday morning from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Parastas will be held at 9 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions be made, in Sophie's name, to the memorial fund of  St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church at 243 S. Middle St. Frackville, PA 17931