Sofia (Yunkevich) Matiash, 98, wife of the late Wasyl "William" Matiash passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Sofia was born in Plotnichinca, Pollisia Region, Ukraine on December 12, 1923 to the late Adam and Tatiana Yunkevich. She was a long-time communicant of the St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hartford. Sofia was very devoted to her religion. When she could no longer attend church, she followed Mass on television every day. Sofia was a long-time member of the Women's Association for The Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine. Sofia survived the turmoil and tragedies of WWII. As the current war in her native Ukraine began Sofia's memories of WWII resurfaced. She told her family that what is currently happening in Ukraine was a repeat of WWII. Sofia as a 19-year-old witnessed the results of genocide against people of her neighboring village. Soon after that incident Sofia was forcibly taken from her home, thrown on a train and sent to a Forced Labor camp in Germany. Sofia's father was given a short time to say goodbye to his daughter. He told her that "if you survive this war, try to get to America. Do not come back to Ukraine there will be nothing left here because what the Germans don't destroy the Russians will." Sofia did what her father said. Sofia immigrated to America with her husband Wasyl also a survivor who she met and married in the Refugee camp. They brought along their toddler son and they started a new life. Two daughters born in America added to the family. A story of tragedy, survival, hope for the American dream was shared by many post WWII immigrants from Ukraine and of other countries. Sofia was a prolific maker of crochet blankets. When she heard news that a child would be born, she started a blanket. She made blankets for grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, children of neighbors and anyone who she thought would like a blanket. Sofia was known to family and friends as Baba, Grandmother in Ukrainian. Her greatest joy in life was having children around. Grandchildren, great grandchildren, grandchildren of friends and neighbors.

Sofia leaves behind her son, Michael Matiash and daughter Mary Sorano and her husband, Frank Sorano, Jr. her granddaughters, Andrea Torres and husband John Torres, Jennifer Diamond and her husband Steven Diamond, and Christina Sorano and her Fiancé Joseph Angelillo, and her great-grandchildren, Isabella Emily and Olivia Torres, Theodore Diamond and Joseph Angelillo, Jr. Aside from her husband, Sofia was preceded in death by her daughter, Ann Matiash, grandson, Mark Matiash and Daughter-in-law, Barbara Matiash.

Friends and family may call on the Matiash family on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM with a Panachyda Service beginning at 7:00PM at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield, CT. A Funeral Liturgy celebrating Sofia's life will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 11:30AM in Saint Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 135 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, CT 06114. Burial to follow in Saint Michael Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, 1458 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury, CT. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to The Fund for Support of Ukraine, a 501c3 organization The Ukrainian National Home 961 Wethersfield Ave. Hartford 06114. For further information, or to leave a condolence, please visit FarleySullivan.com