Sophia Mavris Dohm

Sophia Mavris Dohm July 1, 1950 - January 16, 2007 Sophie passed away at her home in Novato on Tuesday, January 16th, 2007, with her husband, Eric and son, Adam by her side. She battled a neuro-degenerative condition, Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), for eleven years and succumbed to complications of the disease. Sophie was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of four children. In 1973, she moved to California with friends and met her husband of 32 years shortly thereafter. They moved to Novato in 1976 where their son was born and raised. As a couple, and later as a family, they had many wonderful adventures and enjoyed camping, sailing, skiing, hiking and scuba diving. She was very active in helping out in the schools and in children's sports activities until her condition made it impossible. Sophie developed a passion for her Greek heritage and enjoyed researching her genealogy and visiting her family's ancestral lands. Later, she became very involved in finding out more about MSA and participated in support groups, public awareness, fundraising, case studies, and a documentary film. What really made Sophie special was that she was a caring and understanding friend -- a compassionate listener to whom people could open up. Her charm, spirit for life, and loving presence touched everyone who knew her. She will be missed by all. Sophia is survived by her husband and son, her mother Helen Mavris, her sister Virginia Starzak, her brother Tom and his wife Carol Mavris, brother John Mavris, her sister-in-law Deb Dohm and brother-in-law Jim Likowski. Services will be held at the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church at 1110 Dickson Drive, Ignacio, California at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24th. Arrangements are entrusted to Keaton's Redwood Chapel of Marin in Novato. Memorial contributions may be made to the SDS/MSA Support Group Inc., P.O. Box 279, Coupland, TX. 78615. www.shy-drager.org.