Obituary of Sophia A. Darin
Sophia A. Darin, (nee Wojciechowski), age 96, and a lifelong resident of Joliet, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, February 20, 2018 with her loving family by her side.
Born January 15, 1922 in Joliet, she was the youngest of ten children born to Julius and Theresa (Pegura) Wojciechowski. Her mother died when she was eight and her father died when she was 13, leaving her siblings to raise her. She was a devout Catholic, attended Holy Cross Catholic Church, until her marriage in 1942. She then became a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She had a beautiful voice. Both Holy Cross and St. John’s Churches benefitted from her singing in their choirs. She loved attending daily Mass and praying the rosary.
Through the years, Sophia enjoyed bowling, golf, bus trips to casinos and shows, car trips (to anywhere) and longer trips even as far as Italy! She had a huge sweet tooth and shared that with others through her delicious homemade potica. She had a talent for imitating most bird calls. Playing Bingo, Bunco and Pokeno kept her active but it was her love of card playing, taught to her since youth, from which she received the most enjoyment. Even at age 96, she would play cards all night if you let her.
Coming from humble beginnings, Sophia found pleasure in a wide range of activities but most importantly found pleasure in interacting with people. She was friendly to everyone, always smiling. She treated acquaintances like friends, treated friends like family, and treated family as her dear treasures. Sophia went out of her way to make other’s birthdays special, which included cards, phone calls, and singing the family’s unique rendition of “Happy Birthday.” This passion even evolved into a birthday club with special friends. And guess who was elected the president of the club!
If it wasn’t obvious, Sophia was a lover of life and a treasure to us all.
Sophia was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Guido Darin, Sr. (2002); her parents; siblings, Joseph Wojciechowski, Maximillian Wojeske, Frank (Marie) Wojeske, Mary (Edward) Glavan, Ann (Frank) Gersich, Julius Wojciechowski, Jr., Stanley (Margaret) Wojciechowski, Pauline (Michael) Machak, and John (Mary) Wojciechowski; granddaughter, Margaret Lynn Darin; her in-laws, Antonio and Antonia Darin, Maria Darin, Lucille and Lester Guard, Ann and Lawrence Ammenhauser, Joseph and Fran DePodesta, and many beloved family members.
Surviving are her children, Joseph (Peg) Darin, Jr. and Paulette (Norman Sr.) Daletski; grandchildren, Kimberly (Dan) DeLara, Lori Darin, Anthony (Veronica) Darin, Robert Popovich, Jennifer (Ian) Blazekovich, Scott Popovich, Maria (Kenneth) Janovsky, Norman (Danielle) Daletski, Jr., Vincent Daletski, Matthew Daletski, Charlette (Kenneth) Christensen, Juliann Daletski, Darrin Daletski, and Noelle (Charles) Lindemann; great grandchildren, Jillian (Casey) Mays, Jordan Vietti, Danielle and Peyton DeLara, Aalanah and Aaliyah Darin, Drew Popovich, Brooke, Lorenzo and Tony Blazekovich, Amanda (Anthony) Dore, Sara and Rebecca Janovsky, Andrew, Abigail and Zachary Daletski, Jessica (TJ) Covarrubia, Mishel and Amy Daletski, Matthew (Fiance Erin Peterson) Potter, Malyssa and Maxwell Daletski, Christina (fiancé Abraheem Juma) and Daniel Christensen, Skylar and Willow Daletski, Alexander, Adam and Aiden Lindemann; great-great grandchildren, Sutton Mays, Evan Spens, Demi Lang, Anthony Dore III, and Olivia Covarrubia; sister-in-law, Louise (the late Clarence) Parthun; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Sophia A. Darin will be held Friday, March 2, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
