Sophie passed into eternal life at St. John’s Riverside Hospital on September 1 after a long illness.
Her immediate Family was by her side throughout her final days.
Born Sophie Poleshuk, she was a lifelong resident of Yonkers, NY, where she met and married her loving husband, Carmen who preceded her in death in 2005. She and Carmen were devoted to each other since High School and married while Carmen was on leave prior to deployment in WWII.
Sophie and Carmen owned and operated a number of businesses along Saw Mill River Road. For many years, Sophie was the proprietor of Massimo’s Specialty Shop.
Sophie was widely known as a selfless, kind, and gentle person, always willing to lend a hand, provide support, nurture others, and take a risk. She loved to open her heart and home to entertain family and friends where no one sat idly by and watched the festivities. She and Carmen were avid “cruisers” and enjoyed many days aboard ship and visiting ports-of-call. She was a regular at the Yonkers Polish-American Community Center. Sophie was an accomplished dancer. She and Carmen loved to dance, laugh, and enjoy life together.
Sophie is survived by her daughter Diane Massimo-Norgard, to whom she was devoted, and son-in-law David Norgard, step-grandchildren William and Matthew Norgard, sisters Stella Piller, Helen Stypulkowski, Ruth Menno and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Mary and Ignatius Poleshuk, and three brothers Alexander, Steven and Peter. Along with Carmen, Al and Steve were WWII veterans.
Visiting will be on Thursday 7-9 p.m. and Friday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel, Inc., 16 Shea Place, New Rochelle.
A funeral Mass will be Saturday 9:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
PLEASE NOTE: In lieu of flowers a donation to: the NRHS GO – Sophie Massimo Scholarship Fund is suggested by the family.
