Sr. Sophia Michalenko

1928 - 2017

Sr. Sophia Michalenko
On Friday, March 31, 2017, Sister Sophia Michalenko of the Community of the Mother of God of Tenderness passed to Eternal Life at the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut Center for Comfort Care and Healing, Danbury, CT having served Our Lord for 70 years as a religious in consecrated life. Born in Adams, MA on July 11, 1928, Sophia was the fifth child of John and Victoria (Betleja) Michalenko, who immigrated to the USA with their oldest daughter Mary in 1921. Her father was a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic from what is now Slovakia and her mother a Roman Catholic from what is now Poland.
In Adams, Sophia attended the parochial school of St. Stanislaus Kostka and Adams High School, from which she graduated as class Salutatorian in 1946. In July of that year she entered the Congregation of Felician Sisters in Enfield, Ct. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John's University in NY with a BA in Education in 1957 and a Masters in English in 1961. For 25 years, she taught in various schools in MA, CT, NY, and RI. From 1946, Sr. Sophia was a member of the Felician Sisters. From 1974, she was a member of the Community of the Mother of God of Tenderness founded by Archbishop Joseph Tawil of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton, MA.
Throughout the years, Sr. Sophia ministered in various capacities including teaching, acting Dean of Longview College in Enfield, CT., St. Joseph Melkite Church in Scranton, PA, Secretary of the Waterbury Evangelization Center, Pool Typist at John Paul II Center for Health Care in Danbury and was the author of THE LIFE OF (ST.) FAUSTINA KOWALSKA: THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY - the Apostle of Divine Mercy, originally published as MERCY MY MISSION. She is aunt, great-aunt and great-grand-aunt to over 100 persons. The Community of the Mother of God of Tenderness resettled in Danbury, CT in 1987 and is affiliated with St. Ann Melkite Greek Catholic Church in this city and ministers in other parishes in the area. Sr. Sophia always served with an infectious smile and touched the lives of many people in whatever capacity she ministered. Her love knew neither barriers nor boundaries.
Sr. Sophia was predeceased by her parents; her sister Mary (Michalenko) Adamczyk and five brothers: Frank, Adolph, Ignatius, Aloysius and John, as well as nephews, Norbert Adamczyk and David Michalenko and grand nephew David Ritcher. She is survived by her sister Sr. Victoria Michalenko, CMGT, Sr. Mary Ann Socha, CMGT; brothers Joseph (Joan) of Hawaii and Fr. Seraphim, MIC of Stockbridge, MA and Fr. Alexei of Alexandria, VA. Her community and family give thanks to everyone who offered prayerful support throughout her illness and who touched her life. especially to all the gracious caregivers and personnel of the Regional Hospice and Home Care services of Danbury and Fr. George O'Neill and Fr. Eric Silva from St. Joseph Church in Brookfield and Archimandrite Michael Skrocki of St. Ann Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sr. Sophia's honor to the Community of the Mother of God of Tenderness, c/o 79 Golden Hill Road, Danbury, CT 06811, which will be offered to various charities.
The Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 11 a.m. in St. Ann Melkite Greek Catholic Church, 181 Clapboard Ridge Road (Rt. 39N), Danbury. Interment will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury. Friends will be received on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at St. Ann's Church from 4 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Avenue, Danbury is in charge of arrangements.