I am so sorry to hear of Jenny's passing. 

I moved to Florida in highschool and went to school with Jenny before she was struck by lightening out of the blue. She was the smartest and kindest person at the school. Her smile warmed up whatever room she walked into. She helped me understand some AP course we were in together never shaming me for not understanding material that came easy for her. Absolutely a  sweet person! 

I am so sorry for all she had to face after she was struck.  Sending love!


I went to Dunedin High and got to know her before she was struck by lightning.  I remember she had exceptional grade's and joked about becoming President. The lighting strike happen when she went to get the mail at the mailbox before the storm reached there house. After she went into almost a year long coma. When she woke up from the coma I visited her family home. She was in a wheelchair and did not remember me.  

She will be missed and must be in heaven for sure.

God bless you Jenny.



As I look back on 33 years as an English teacher and librarian at Dunedin High School, I remember hearing the news about Jenny and the lightning strike.  I didn't have Jenny in class, but I did serve on an essay contest judging committee that read her submission; I believe it was during her sophomore year.  She was clearly an intelligent young lady.  I'm sorry to learn of your loss, but I'm also glad that you had her for as long as you did.    

Sweet Jenny loved to go to Key West with Aunt Janet, Uncle John and mom and dad and drink margaritas at The Bull Bar.  The Entertainer Dawn, who loved Jenny also, would always sing a special song for her "Lady in Red".  Jenny was very proud to show off a henna tattoo she got there to many of the people in town.  Jenny, your smile made everyone around you smile.  Aunt Janet and Uncle John love you.

It is hard to believe that it's almost a year since you left us.  I miss your smile and how happy you were to see me.  You were such an inspiration to all of us.  You were a sweet, caring and loving person.  Ron and Jackie, my thoughts, prayers and love are with you always.  Friends for over 40 years!  Love you, Carol

I feel so fortunate to have known Jenny and her loving and devoted parents.  Jenny's brightness, warmth and great sense of humor never failed to put things into perspective every time I was with her.  I will always love and miss you dear Jenny.

Who wasn't better for knowing Jenny Sokol?
Certainly not me.  
I didn't know her "before the strike".  Ron told me about his precious daughter preparing me to become her nurse when she came back home after a long and hard one year of rehabilitation in Texas.
The evening she arrived and came through the front door of her Dunedin home with her Mom  and I laid eyes on her, it was love at first sight.
I tried to keep things professional as I cared for her, it just wasn't possible.
I loved her and I felt loved by her and we became friends and stayed that way till she left us (though she lives on in our hearts).
I believe the Lord found her to be so irresistible to Him, that He just had to have her there with Him in Paradise, where she waits and prays for us, all those she knew and loved in life.

Dear Jackie & Ronnie,

As Jennie's one year anniversary draws near, we know that mere words cannot help to ease the loss you both bear, but we would want you to know that you are very close in our every thought and prayer and that every bit of our hearts go out to you both.

We were blessed to have been graced by Jennie's big heart , inviting personality and keen sense of humor for all of those years. Jennie was an inspiration to everyone around her as she shared her love and joy with so many. She remains an inspiration to this day as do both of you.

Jennie was clearly here for a reason and your deep connections can never be broken. While she is physically not present now, Jennie will live the rest of your lives in your hearts.

We want you to know that we will forever miss and treasure your daughter, out niece, Jennie.

We love you,

Jim & Kamal

It has been almost a year since Jenny passed and I find it incredibly hard to put my feelings into words.   I knew Jenny as a teenage girl with her beautiful heart, adorable wit, incredible intelligence and her whole life ahead of her.   Then without any warning, everything changed.    It was terrible and scary and heart-wrenching.   And days passed, and Jenny could breathe on her own, and there was such hope.   And no one knew how the new "normal" for Jenny would look.    
  
It took years and travel and therapy.  So many prayers and so much hope, and the never-ending patience and love of Jackie and Ron.    The new Jenny was so different, but even more beautiful and adorable and smart.   And incredibly -- she no longer needed words to convey who she was.     

I’m so grateful that we reconnected all of those years later and that my husband and my children could know and love Jenny, too.     I believe everyone who was fortunate enough to spend time with her, left feeling some change in their own heart.     

Thank you, Jenny, for all of the love.  I know you have healed beyond imagining in heaven and I pray that I will make it there to see you again.     Pray for us, Jenny.    There is a bunch of pain here without you, and I know and feel in my bones that you would want those left behind to feel God's love and comfort and consolation and to know His peace. 

Dear Jenny, You were more than the shining light in our family, you were God's angelic gift to us. No one and I mean no one has touched so many people in their lifetime. You did it over and over in both of your lives, before your lightning strike episode at 16 and after your rebirth for the next 31 years.

You cared for your family, friends, and people you met during your 47 years on this earth. You did this with your actions and the spoken word before your accident and then with your eyes and gestures after that. You were truly special and as many have said you were an angel sent from God to teach us what is important in life. Your story will be told so that your time on this earth and the lessons you have taught us will not be forgotten. Until Mom and I see you again know that you were more than loved by us and the many others that crossed your path.

Your grateful Dad

My dear sweet Jenny, 

It is almost a year since you passed. I look around and I see you everywhere and then nowhere. My heart aches, I want to hold you in my arms again, and kiss that beautiful little face. I thought as time went on it would get much easier, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I look back to the day you were born. The nurses nicknamed you Pebbles, you were so perfect in everyway. 

For the next 16 years you were headed on a path that your Dad and I felt God had planned for you. So beautiful, so smart, so athletic, so giving, so loving. You could have been anything. That was not his plan. On that fateful day back in 1986 the lightning bolt that struck you touched all of us that knew and loved you. All our lives were so profoundly changed.

It took me a number of years to get past my anger, before I came to realize that you were not my burden but my gift. You taught me what is truly important in life Jenny. You are a perfect little spirit, with those beautiful brown eyes that seemed to look directly into one's soul, to your magnificent smile, and your adorable thumbs up! I am so grateful that I had the privilege of being your Mom. I will strive everyday to be a better person sweetheart. I know that you are in a much better place now. You are with God and the angels. I pray that if I am blessed, I will see you again. Until that time, I send you all my love always.

Your Mom

To my Jennie .. in my heart and always will be my little girl. You came into my life a couple of days after my dearest friend (your Mom) gave birth to you. A beautiful little angel then and now the must beautiful and bright shining angel in heaven. I will always remember fixing your hair at your Dunedin home. You made your grand entrance out to the swimming pool with your hair looking like angel hair. I will never get the picture of you out of my head and heart how beautiful you were. You are etched in my heart forever my little angel Jennie. Love you with all my heart and you will always be in my my little angel.

Jenny was a beautiful loving child who will be missed by all who knew her.  Thank you Jackie and Ron for sharing her with all of us

Here it is more than six months since you passed dear Jenny but your spirit lives on through the memories of those who were blessed to have known you. You taught us all so much about courage and steadfastness in difficult times through your beautiful smile and example. We love you dearly and miss you always. JoAnn and Boud

Dear Jackie and Ron, Your beautiful Jenny touched so many people every day. Her smile and joy in everything she was a part of was a beacon of light. I will never forget the time you all came to our campsite and how thrilled she was to see the dogs!! She did so love camping.....God is watching over her now....I'm so very sorry for your loss.....

I remember the day and the pain felt by the Paradyne family. I will never forget. Ron, you were the best.

God is Amazing!!  HE gave us you, dear Jenny, and I am forever Thankful for that Blessing!  From the first time I met you, those eyes, you were more alive than most in this world.  Your soul truly was seen thru those beautiful eyes.   You taught us what broken into beautiful truly means. The laughter, the tears, the fun and banter you endured at GNO in your family room will ALWAYS be  some of the best times.  The crazy 4 ladies in the company of a true Saint Jenny....you taught me so many things during those beautiful evenings.  I am forever grateful that God granted his favor upon me to be in your company.  I know you are keeping watch over us, especially your truly selfless and loving parents, Ronnie and Jackie, they are the best, of course, God gave the best daughter to the best parents!  You will forever be their GIFT and all of ours too!

Meema and Pop Pop,
I am so grateful to be part of such a loving family, and seeing how much you cared for Jenny truly shows that I have the most loving grandparents in the world. The devotion you had to Jenny continues to inspire me to try to be just as loving towards my family and friends. I loved Jenny and will never forget her. Love you both.

Dear Jennifer,          April 8, 2017

You passed today but your influence will never leave those who were touched by you. I believe that we have all been put on earth to make it a better place, not just to have a good time. But if we make it a better place, then we have a good time. Ironically, you must have had a very good time, because you made this place so wonderful for many people. My world is better because of you. Through you I met your loving devoted parents. Because of that I am a more loving, more devoted parent. When I first met you I found a young woman whose mind and body were a bit broken, but then you smiled and gave the thumbs up sign, and I realized that your spirit was perfect. You taught me that every day is a gift. Now whenever my path seems difficult and overwhelming, I remember your smile and your thumbs up and I push ahead to take care of one patient, then the next, and the next and the next. My world is better because of your strength passed along in your smile that came out of your perfect spirit.  

Thank you, Jennifer,

Ron and Jackie, I know you will deeply miss Jenny but we just want you to know that she and you Jackie touched our lives in a way like to one else. I will never forget the day of her birthday when she waved good-bye to Mike as you were leaving to take her for a ride and Mike, for the first time, waved back. She brought such joy to us. Her smile, even back then, brightened the room.  We will never forget her or you.  You have all blessed our lives forever.

Throughout Jenny's lifetime I saw God.  From the miracle of having a new baby sister, to her surviving a lightning strike, to causing those around her to think a little bit more about the important things in life.   I will miss her but am comforted to know that this is only temporary.  I love you Jenny, thank you for helping me to acknowledge I can always do better for those around me, and I look forward to seeing you again.

Ron, I remember the day Jennifer was struck. Even to this day I think of you and your devotion to Jennifer, every time I walk to the mail box. I will never forget.

Mike Oratowski    oratowski@aol.com

Ron and Jackie....I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved daughter, Jenny. The loving care you gave to Jenny was exquisite and I bow to you both. The universe it seems, however, had a plan of its own. Jenny experienced more of life than most people ever get to due to your constant efforts to keep her involved in the world. I wish you both peace in the months and years to come.
Ellen Isaksen (Holiday, Fl)

Ron and Jackie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  I know the angels rejoice when a saint is called to their eternal home.  May His grace & peace be with you and provide you with comfort.  Blessings to you and your family.

Dear Ron,
So sorry for your loss and so deeply touched by your devotion to your daughter.  May God comfort you and your family in this difficult time.
Luke Smithwick

Ron and Jackie,
I am so sorry to have just learned of Jenny's passing. It was wonderful to have reconnected with you all late last year and to see Jenny again after such a long time. She was a real trooper and her smile was infectious. My prayers are with you both.

Ron, I was a Paradyne employee in 1972, worked for Bill Murphy, Bob Budenstein.  You and I had daughters born a month apart.  What a special girl you had....and she was so lucky to have you as parents.  My brother had CP and my mother was his angel, until he died at age 33.  There is a special place for all of you in heaven.  
  Barbara Koyutis, Seminole

Praise God for his grace upon Jennifer's life and your loving family.  She is experiencing now the peace and joy of her eternal salvation.  With deepest sympathies from your colleague at Paradyne and neighbors at Barrington Hills.

With heartfelt sympathy to the Sokol family in your loss of dear Jennifer. I was working at Paradyne and I remember when it happened. God Bless and I wrap my arms around you in love......Wanda Szymkiewicz Crabtree

I did not have the pleasure of meeting Jenny but remember Ron's shock when lightning struck her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family now.
Bill Walter (formerly Paradyne employee)
Midway, GA

Jenny still inspires me. We were neighbors 20 yrs ago and loved our memories with the Sokol. Jenny's determination and positive spirit shown thru even tho she couldn't communicate like we do. My daughter in part is a Dr of physical therapy because of knowing Jenny. She will always be fondly remembered

Dear Ron and Jackie. Jenny, who was your "angel" here on earth, now
resides with Our Lord in Heaven with His Angels. She is at peace and "whole"
again.  Cherish the memories.  Love, Lu Ann and Joe Agnello

Dear Ron and Jackie,

God has opened up his arms to welcome Jenny home. It is clear that she was surrounded by a loving family who provided her with every opportunity to live a fulfilling life. Her brilliant smile is a reflection of the love and joy that you were able to give to her. May you both find peace in knowing that she is now at rest with God. Our prayers go out to all of you.

All our love,

My deepest sympathies to the entire family. Jenny was a great friend and inspiration to me and so many others.

We will miss Jenny's smile and innocence.  She has inspired us from the time we met.  The journey is not over for Jenny.  Jenny we will miss you and you will be forever in our hearts.

Love Donna and Paul

Our hearts are saddened by the loss of your angel Jenny.  It was always a pleasure to see her in our office, always had a big smile.  We wish God's comfort & peace for you at this difficult time. Love Craig, Melinda, Christiana and Linda

Dear Jackie and Ron,
I'm so terribly sorry for you loss.  How horribly sad but also inspiring to know that Jenny is in Heaven looking down and giving you both a huge thumbs up.  She was so fortunate to have wonderful loving parents who gave her such warmth, love and dignity throughout her life.  I know you are hurting, and we all hurt for you, but know that you have our profound love, sympathy and respect.  God is taking care of her now and I'm sure she already has her wings - you'll hear the bells ringing.  God Bless you both.

Jenny will be waiting for you at the gate.  Please accept our prayers at this time.
God will carry you both through this sad time.  Love to you both.
Jack and Kay Lyon(the villages)

Our condolences for your loss. You guys are remarkable and dedicated parents. She is smiling down on you from heaven.
Maryellen and Len Veraldi

Jackie and Ron my prayers are with you at this difficult time. Jenny really touched my heart the minute I met her. She was such a tease, I'll never forget every time I asked her if she liked her hair cut she would act like she was going to give me a thumbs down and then smile and thumbs up. I'm looking forward to meeting her again when we can meet at Jesus's feet. God bless

Tom and I can't fully express how sad we are to hear this news.  Although we never had the privilege of meeting Jenny (my mother's name) we heard so many wonderful things from you and Ron.  Our prayers are with you and we pray that her presence in your life will be a happy memory for the rest of your life.  She was a special gift.  Tom & Dee Statham, Bocce Ball

Jackie and Ronnie, I am deeply saddened to hear about Jenny's passing. She always made me smile and laugh with her beautiful spirit. May God give you comfort and peace at this difficult time. Sending Love and Healing prayers.  Love you, xxoo Julie

Dear Jackie and Ron, 
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beautiful daughter Jenny. Prayers for comfort and peace to you and your family,

Hi Jackie and Ron, our prayers are with you both always. Sharon/Karen

Jackie and Ron,  Thank you for the opportunity to work with your wonderful Jenny.  She was an angel and so are both of you.  My deepest sympathies, with love. Sue Schramek

Dearest Jackie and Ron,
It was always such a pleasure seeing you with Jenny at our pickleball parties. No daughter could have been better cared for or loved. It makes me smile just thinking of Jenny being young and carefree again being with God. That smile of hers will add light to heaven. My heart goes out to all of you for yiour loss of your dear Jenny.

Jackie and Ronnie, So sorry to hear your news of Jenny's passing. She was your angel here and will be your angel in heaven. Jenny was blessed to have you both as parents, as much as you were blessed to have her as your daughter. My Love, Prayers and Sympathy.

Dear Ron and Jackie,
Dan and I were so sad to hear of the loss of your sweet Jenny. She was an inspiration to everyone that met her. And you both were the best parents a daughter could ask for. We will always remember," Huey Lewis and the News" Rock on in Heaven Jenny:) With Love and Sympathy, Dan&Marsha

Jackie and Ron,
We didn't get a chance to know sweet Jenny for long, but we will never forget her and her angelic presence.  Words can't express how sorry we are for your loss... may God give you comfort and strength.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Jackie and Ron, please accept my deepest condolences for the passing of your dear daughter.  Your compassion and dedication throughout the years for her welfare and happiness is something I always admired. Warm regards, will keep you in my prayers.
Clara Haskins

Dear precious Jackie and Ron.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.  Jenny was a bright light and we will remember her smile filled with sunshine.  Her thumbs up and her high fives.  Loved giving her arm kisses.  She touched our life and will forever be in our hearts.  We love you. Mike and Jackie Vales

Jackie and Ron
We are sending love and prayers to you.
God needs Jenny with him now and I can see her happy and talking and running and smiling like only Jenny can do.
You have been the most dedicated parents I have ever know and now it's time for you to let God take over.
I know you will miss her with all your heart.
One day you will all be together again.
Love to you
Bob and Sharyn

Jenny was such a special young woman who would light up a room with her infectious smiles.  We loved her and will miss her wonderful hugs and thumb ups!  She touched a lot of lives and will always be remembered.  Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sokol family and may God give you all peace at this time in knowing she is spreading her Angel wings and sharing her smiles in heaven.  We love you all.
Michael and Denise Perridge
Citrus County, Florida

Dear Sokol Family,     We are so sad to hear of your loss. I know Jenny will be greatly missed!  It has been our pleasure to get to be a part of your family and witness the way in which you demonstrated unconditional love and joy in your care of Jenny.   She was always a joy to be around. You continued to share her story with others through the years, and her and your example gave courage and hope to many. Jenny has touched so many lives and will continue to do so in the days, months, and years to come. You are in our hearts and prayers as you go through these days of  grief and joy mingled.  Jenny is home with her dear Lord and worshipping Him face to face. Wow.  We send love from our entire family. The Skrnichs.

We will miss seeing Jenny's smile as she trekked around the neighborhood.  Our prayers are with all of you.
Pat Paciolla

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ron and Jackie. XXOOXX
I'm sitting at my counter looking out at your backyard remembering the times you all sat out there together enjoying our beautiful view. Jenny is indeed an angel and will always be remembered for her "thumbs up" and special smile.
Love, Pat & Mike

Jenny, spread your wings and Soar - as you were always meant to do.  We love you.

OBITUARY

Jenny Elizabeth Sokol

April 19, 1970 – April 8, 2017

Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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