Myka-Lynne Sokoloff

Myka-Lynne (Mykee) Sokoloff’s time on her cherished site beside the sea ended peacefully on October 26th 2015. Her adventure with Ovarian Cancer ended and her spirit and soul now hover over all. Mykee lived her life between the question and the answer. Her eternal optimism is not only alive and well within her family but extends out to every educator, every writer, every artist, every cook, every gardener, and world traveler. There was never a seed that Mykee didn’t believe would bloom into a fragrant flower or vegetable to grace her table and the palette of those who were lucky enough to savor her meals.

As an exceptional writer and editor of children’s books and stories, children worldwide have learned and will continue to learn how to read, how to ask important questions and how to be respectful of one another and nature. From a career beginning at McGraw-Hill in California to free lancing, Mykee is the author of hundreds of children’s’ books and countless reading assessments. Her talents were sought by every major publishing house. Her book, ¬Footprints to the Past, written for the Brewster Historical Society, reminds all of the fragile natural history and our impact in one tiny town.

Mykee and daughter arrived full time on Cape Cod in the summer of 1991. Marrying Bill Wibel of Brewster, they settled into the community. Mykee, serving on countless committees in the service of others, held dear her time as one of the founding board members of The Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School. Her vision, and skill at writing, promoted the school’s charter to be adopted, among the first in the Commonwealth. Serving on the board over multiple years, she witnessed her vision and those of the other founders come to flower and produce intellectually curious students who have gone on to have a positive impact on the world.

With every seed planted and every shrub pruned, Mykee’s fascination with the soil grew. Her interest peaked when chosen among a select group to be a Master Gardner. Knowledge is power and thus came her idea of starting a children’s garden. With other local Master Gardeners, Mykee and her little band organized and got support for the formation of the Brewster Children’s Garden on Lower Road in Brewster. Today in its 10th year, the Brewster Children’s Garden serves to whet the minds of youngest that the earth is their friend. If they learn to take care of it, it will take care of them.

Cooking with the simple herbs of the earth, she made every vegetable more succulent than the last. Her meals and dinner parties were always great celebrations with select friends and family. Her mother, Vivienne Sokoloff of Yarmouth, MA always was asking; “where did you learn how to cook?” Amusing as that was or not, Mykee’s zest for cooking was not unlike the rest of her life. Curiosity for the benefit of many. The grandchildren were her favorite customers for corn meal pancakes with blueberries picked from High Head in North Truro.

From the dunes in High Head North Truro to the vistas at Fort Hill Mykee along with Bill would lose herself to chalk and paper creating moments in time favored by all who received them. Plein Air, meant to be with nature, to capture the subtle curves and shadows of light that crept into her lens. She loved chasing shadows across the grasses and dunes, never satisfied, always between the question and the answer.

As a collector of World Heritage sites, Mykee and Bill decided early on in their time together (25 years) that travel would take the place of new cars, new TVs or just about new anything except for her vaunted VW Bug convertible that she sported about town in. From Macho Pichu high in the Andes to Uluru in the Australian Outback, Mykee was in constant search of new stories for her Children’s Books, new recipes for dinners and new memories for her own sense of eternity. Riding on a camel in Egypt or an elephant in the jungles of Cambodia, Mykee was at ease. Exploring a Souk in the heart of Cairo during the Arab Spring or pursuing the Plated Women in southern Ethiopia, Mykee was always eager for the next turn in the road, the next fork to take the path least traveled.

Loved, respected and cherished in life, Mykee leaves other now to do her work, to live between the question and the answer. Bill Wibel – Husband, daughters, Rebekah Powers Sokoloff Robertson, Alice Allen, Amy Murdock, grandchildren – Richie Jr, Elizabeth, Katherine, Sean and Ashley. Sons-in-law – Tim, Kelly and Richie. Parents Dr. Martin Sokoloff and Vivienne Sokoloff. Sister – Beth Engerson. Brother – Steven Sokoloff, Nieces – Stephanie and Samantha; and the world of curiosity seekers. She is now welcomed by her sister the great curiosity seeker of all Marjorie Allen.

A public burial will take place at the Brewster Cemetery on Lower Road in Brewster, MA, November 14th at 11:30 AM. Reception for all friends and family to follow at the Land Ho! Restaurant in Orleans, MA (1 – 4 PM). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. A scholarship will be established in Mykee’s memory at Nauset Regional High School.

For online condolences please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com