She was the loving wife of the late Jack Strom; the beloved mother of Esther, of Evanston, IL, Aaron (Amanda), of Dallas, TX, and Sarah, of Austin, TX; the adored grandmother of Waldo, Basil, Bell, Kimba, Wesley, Naomi, Frederick, Devon, and Eileen; daughter of the late Andrew and Bernadine Sopko, dear sister of Andrew (Debbie) Sopko, of New Carlisle, IN; and aunt of Jeff and Malyssa Sopko, and of Stuart (Maryanne), David (Ellen), Mitchell (Annie), Joanne and Michael Stafman. Mary was born in East Chicago, IN, on May 19, 1942, to Andrew and Bernadine Sopko, and graduated with honors from Bishop Noll High School. After graduating from nursing school, she became a surgical nurse in Blue Island, IL, where she met Jack. They married on September 29, 1970. Their first child, Esther, was born May 22, 1972. Mary and Jack adopted their son, Aaron, in 1978 and were surprised and delighted to welcome their youngest, Sarah, on June 10, 1980. A full-time mom, Mary was actively involved with her children's schools, whether it be donating her time and crafting expertise to countless costumes for Halloween and school plays, or providing delicious home-cooked meals to starving WHFH-FM employees. As Mary's children grew, she continued to take care of others, working with children with special needs at Good Shepherd Preschool in Flossmoor, IL, volunteering to cook and serve meals with Public Action to Deliver Shelter in Illinois and Immokalee Friendship House in Florida, and serving on the Oneg Shabbat committee at Temple Shalom. She also cooked Thursday night dinner weekly for the members of Naples Fire Department's Engine 42. She was a former member of Temple B'nai Yehuda, in Homewood, IL, and Temple Shalom, in Naples, FL. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, and baking. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ASPCA, American Humane Society, or your favorite animal-rescue organization.
Services in Naples, Florida will be at 10am on February 17th at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Rd. Naples, Florida.
Services in Chicago, Illinois will be a visitation from 12-1 and a service from 1-2. On February 12 at the Burns-Kish Funeral Home located at 8415 Calumet Ave, Munster Ind.
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