Sophie A. Kowalski

Sophie A. Kowalski, 84, of Willimantic, widow of Thaddeus "Tike" Kowalski, died Saturday night Sept. 4, 2004 at St. Joseph Living Center, Windham. She was born Jan. 15, 1920 in Colchester, the daughter of Phillip and Rebecca (Schulman) Meisler. Sophie and her husband Tike were very involved in touching the lives of many people through the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She spent many years teaching night classes at Noble, Kramer and Windham High Schools in sewing, knitting and crocheting. In July of 1979, she became the manager of Sophie's Sewing Shop, where she worked along side her daughter for over 10 years. Sophie was a member of Soroptimist International of Willimantic and the Windham Girls Club. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Willimantic for 50 years. Sophie lived for her family and enjoyed helping and being with people. She is survived by 2 sons, Dr. Theodore Kowalski of Stamford and The Very Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski of N.Y.; a daughter Ellen Jo Fraser of Columbia, 5 grandchildren whom she adored, Rebecca and Matthew Kowalski, Jonathan and Patrick Fraser and Andrew Kowalski Devine; and brother Bernard Meisler. She was predeceased by her son Joseph T. Kowalski and 2 sisters, Beatrice Sherman of Florida and Pearl Searle of Durham. Her family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00pm. Her Funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 220 Valley St. Willimantic with assembly at the church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. John the Devine, Cathedral Heights, 1047 Amsterdam Ave., N.Y.,N.Y. 10025 or to Cystic Fibrosis, 185 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT. 06109-1219. Please visit at www.potterfh.com for online memorial guestbook and directions.