Sophia A. Polansky

1917 - 2014

VERMILION - Sophia A. Polansky, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, took her last breath and left this earth to meet her Lord and Savior on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 96 years of age, at Kingston of Vermilion following a lengthy illness.
She was born March 30, 1917 in Ford City, Pennsylvania, and moved with her family to Lorain when she was a young girl.
She met her future husband, Steve who was also from Pennsylvania, in Lorain, and together they founded and operated the Steve Polansky Meat Market in 1940 at 14th. and Long Ave. In 1945 the business was expanded to include the Dewey Road location, which was also expanded in the early 1950's, to include a larger retail market, and again in the mid 1960's, to add another meat market on the property. This property was also where the Polansky's made their home for many years. In 1957, they purchased Henrietta Packing from Mr. Polansky's brother Mike, to complete their expansion. The market on Dewey Road is still operated by members of the family and owned by son, John.
Mrs. Polansky was always civic minded and very active in her community. She belonged to many organizations, including the Amherst Business and Professional Women's Club, being a charter member and held the offices of President, recording secretary and treasurer, the Lorain Altrusa Club, Organized the PTA/PTU organizations of Nativity in Lorain and St. Joseph's School in Amherst, Marion Steele booster Club and many more too numerous to mention. She was also appointed mayor for a day in the city of Amherst, and given the key to the city by Mayor Davis. Her name was published in the Who's Who in Ohio time.
Mrs. Polansky has been a resident of Amherst, Ohio since 1945 with part of the time living in Deerfield Beach, Deland, and Boca Raton, Florida during retirement. While there, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Deerfield Beach, Florida, and also the Church of God in Deland. In her later years, she was still involved in Bible studies and V.B.S. at the Church of the Open Door, and at the Sanctuary in South Amherst, her home church. In her final years she was a resident at the Kingston facility, in Vermilion, Ohio where she was an active participant in many of the activities including, Bible studies, and the Kingston Choir.
Survivors include her daughters Barbara (Robert) Masowich of South Amherst, Stephany (Albert) Larson of Oberlin, Marilyn Woods (Harry Deceased) of Norwalk; her sons John Polansky (Paula) of Amherst, Stephen (Roberta) Polansky of South Amherst; nine grandchildren; ten great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-one years Steve Anthony Polansky on February 3, 2002; grandson Robert S. Masowich on December 10, 1975; her son in law Harry Woods in July, 2000; her brothers Ramon and Zenon Sykuta and her parents Nicholas and Rose Sykuta (nee: Kopil).
A Private graveside service for the immediate family was held at Ridgehill Memorial Park, Ministered by Pastor Art Wiegand of The Sanctuary in South Amherst.
The family wishes to extend their deepest and most sincere appreciation to the staff of Kingston in Vermilion, for the wonderful care given and love shown to Sophia, during her extensive stay. It was a great blessing for Sophia and her children. Thank You. The family also wishes to extend their deepest and most sincere appreciation to the staff of the Hospice of the Western Reserve. Thank You. We also want to acknowledge and thank the Hempel Funeral Home Staff for all the care and kindness shown to us at this special time. We were blessed by all that you did for us. Thank You.
Memorial Contributions may be made to The Sanctuary; 114 W. Main St., South Amherst, OH 44001; or the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110.
The Hempel Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sophia Polansky family and has made available for community's convenience an on-line register book as well as additional information to help facilitate expressions of compassion. Log on at wwww.hempelfuneralhome.com.