Obituary
Shirley Sauer Sopko, 87 of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully August 26, 2022. The daughter of the late Fred and Olga Sauer was born in 1934 in Chicago, IL. Shirley graduated from Fenger High School in 1952 and attended Bryant Stratton Business College. On October 15, 1955 Shirley married Donald Robert Sopko Sr. of Blue Island, IL. and together they raised 2 beautiful boys in South Holland, IL. Shirley loved every moment of being a full time mother and was very active in the Boy Scouts, founding Troop 939 in South Holland and as a member of the Booster Club at Thornwood High School. She also had a passion for her beloved community of Crete, IL and raised awareness and money for her most cherished causes. Shirley was a life-long member of The Crete Women’s Club where she founded and organized the Crete Garden Walk and Shopping with Shirley. She enjoyed working the Spring Fashion Show, raising scholarship money for young women in the community. Shirley loved golfing and was active with the Women’s League at Lincolnshire Country Club and Tuckaway Golf Club. She was a well-read member of numerous book clubs and participated in her local Red Hats organization. Shirley’s love of travel was another passion, beginning in the early days of family vacations to Myrtle Beach, SC. She and Don traveled extensively throughout the world enjoying the sites of Japan, China, Morocco, Europe and Mexico, making many friends along the way. They fell in love with the quaint fishing village of Ixtapa, Mexico and enjoyed many “Chicago winters” in this tropical paradise, before retiring in The Villages, FL. Above all else, family was most important in Shirley’s life. She was a fiercely loyal, feisty and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She particularly enjoyed celebrations and would make custom cards to remind everyone it was a birth-month rather than just a day. She is survived by her husband Don of almost 67 years; her children Jeff (Debi) Sopko; Don, Jr. (Denise) Sopko; grandchildren JJ Sopko; Taylor Sopko; Lauren (Josh) Gillian; Jenna Sopko; Jake Sopko; Samantha Petitti; Nicole Petitti, and great-grandsons Cole and Ryan Gillian. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Those who would like to remember Shirley are asked to consider a donation to their favorite charity in her honor.
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