Skaff, Sophie

Sophie Skaff, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, after a brief illness.

Sophie was born May 18, 1919, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the youngest of Rustom and Sadie (Kacere) Nassif's nine children. She grew up on the southeast side, graduating from McKinley High School in 1937. She worked for her brother, James Nassif, at Nassif's Grocery until her marriage to Abraham Skaff of Sioux City, Iowa, on Sept. 24, 1950. She then moved to Sioux City with her husband and eventually had two sons, Gary J. Skaff and Dennis A. Skaff. Sophie worked along side her husband in his business as well as being active at church. She was involved with the Business Women's Association and also with the Ladies Club at St. Thomas Orthodox Church. Sophie's husband Abe passed away on May 17, 1985, at the age of 63. In 1988, Sophie moved back to Cedar Rapids to be near her siblings. She enjoyed cooking, watching old movies and spending time with her family.

Sophie is survived by her sons and their wives, Gary and Fadia Skaff of Longwood, Fla., and Dennis and Connie Skaff of Central City; three grandchildren, Nicholas and Justin Skaff of Longwood, Fla., and Elizabeth Skaff of Central City; two sisters-in-law, Annie (Mrs. Dean) Lockwood of Sioux City, and LaSeema Malerelis of Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and all her siblings, three brothers, James Nassif, M. Morey Nassif and Louie Nassif; five sisters, Ida Nassif, Helen Hidder, Najebie Abdo, Mabel Abraham and Emma David.

There will be a visitation at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City, from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Trisagion service will then be held at 8 p.m. The funeral will be oat 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Thomas Orthodox Church.

Memorials may go to St. Thomas Orthodox Church, 1100 Jones St., Sioux City, IA 51105; or St. George Orthodox Church, 3650 Cottage Grove Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 26, 2011.