Sofia Sekulic Jones

Sofia Sekulic Jones

(February 25, 1926 -

October 9, 2020)

Sofia Jones, 94, died peacefully in her home on October 9 in Palm Springs, California.

Sofia was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia to Rina and George Sekulic. She survived Nazi occupation of her family home during World War II. After her father's pharmacy was taken over by the Yugoslav Communist regime at the end of the war, Sofia was denied admittance to pharmacy school in Belgrade. She instead completed her degree in linguistics from the University of Belgrade and went to work for the American Embassy in Belgrade and the US Government in Germany.

In Germany, Sofia met lifelong friends, Richard and LeeOna Hostrop of Palm Springs. The Hostrops helped Sofia leave Yugoslavia and immigrate to the United States where she settled in Chicago. Sofia married and had one son, Steve. She later earned her master's degree in library science from Dominican University and worked for over thirty years as a librarian at the Skokie Public Library. After retiring in 1990, Sofia moved to Palm Springs and began her next career as a docent at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Sofia, a true Renaissance woman, was a life-long traveler. She was a polyglot who spoke a dozen languages and easily learned to converse in new ones. She played classical piano throughout her life and had a deep, rich understanding and love of art, music, literature, and culture, which she shared generously, especially with her beloved grandchildren. She was also an accomplished gardener, cook and baker who eagerly shared tips and recipes with friends and family. Sofia enriched the lives of everyone she met.

Sofia was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Martha Marie White Jones, Evanston, IL, her brother, Laza Sekulic, Belgrade, and her parents. She is survived by her son, Steve Jones (Jodi White) of Evanston, IL, and her two grandchildren, Ella and Mack.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in support of the docent program at the Palm Springs Art Museum.