Birth date: Apr 21, 1936 Death date: Dec 21, 2015
Ann V. Sokany (nee Sheedy). Died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family. Beloved wife of Matthew Sokany for 58 years; cherished mother of Matthew (Michele Macedonio), Dr. Nancy Sokany (John Gallucci), Christine (deceased) Read Obituary
I am in shock and awe currently.
Hi Steve and Gerry,, this is Matt Riddle,, I know you remember my name when I put it in the context of the Parma Heights Pool. Tom, Gabby and Dani are my siblings. We used to play together at the pool as kids !!!
I just cant believe it.. here is my story that I am soo happy to share with you,, about your mom and dad.
I am married with 3 kids,, we live in Strongsville and go to St. Albert Church in North Royalton. I work in Strongsville,, and pass by St Joe's Church in Strongsville on my way in to work.
For the past year or 2,, I have been trying to attend a morning mass at St. Joe's at 7:30am once or twice a week. Your mom and dad,,, Ann and Matt are always there,, thus my link to them. I had no idea they were linked to you until 1 hour ago
when I looked up Jardines funeral home as I had pre-planned and packed a nice shirt and pants to attend the wake tonite.
I have never spoke with your mom nor dad outright. Here is what I want to share with you,, I hope you receive it as a blessing,, a tribute,, honoring them and your family (I always remember you both were such nice kids and came from a nice family.)
There is a point in the mass where the lector asks , 'and who else shall we pray?" and like clockwork,, your mom would say every time " for the poor, the lonely, the homeless, the abused, the victims of MS, those suffering from cancer, and all those who are most in need
of our prayers". First time I heard it 2 years ago,, I was like,, Holy Cow,, she is praying for an awful lot of people ! Then I heard it again, and again, and again,, and again. It came to the point where I was like,, Wow,, what an awesome person,, always praying for others.
Then I noticed in the last 6 months that she was missing church for periods of time,, and that the man she always sat with (Matt, her husband I finally figured out) would say "I'd like to pray for my wife Ann,, for her health and welfare,, and for her caregivers".
I was like,, Wow, what a Christlike example of married love. It was obvious he was very devoted to her,, and would love her to the ends of the Earth no matter what.. Kind of mimics the love God has for all of us. I was inspired by it,, truely.
Then came this morning at 7:30am mass. It is a small group. I dont cry much,, not that I try to be macho or anything,, just dont find much to make me sad,, other than when I see true love,, it humbles the crap out of me and inspires me with pure awe. For 30 minutes straight this
morning,, the length of the morning mass,, it was almost like a funeral mass for your mom. I heard so many tears at random times,, I saw your dad teared up,, I saw the pain in his heart,, but I also saw the GREAT GREAT love in his heart. Everyone in that room was
connected,, in Communion with each other,, I was fighting back tears the whole time,, I was completely emotional,, and I dont even know your mom and dad on a personal level. There was soo much love in the room,, it was like the most intoxicating pure drug you could ever
take. This was my honest experience. This is where I needed to be. I want to be more like your mom and dad. I want that kind of love and devotion in my life. Then I find out they are yours and Gerry's parents,, and I was dumbfounded at the connection. I wanted to honor
them, and now want to honor you and Gerry, and honor God for sharing a little bit of their love with me.
Your Friend from the Parma Hts Pool,, Matt
A sweet woman who loved life by laughing, having fun and enjoying family and friends. We will miss you Mrs. Sokany. Thanks for making the world a better place! Matt's roommate at X .... Go Muskies!
