Obituary of Frances Soplop

Frances "Skip" Soplop Allegany Frances "Skip" Soplop of 11 Harriet St. died peacefully Wednesday, Sept 12, 2012 with her loving family close by. Born September 15, 1922 in Olean, NY, she was the youngest of Frank and Violet Rucinski's seven children. On April 15, 1945 she married Joseph R. Soplop at Transfiguration Church in Olean. They went on to build their home and life together on Harriet St. in Allegany. In 1940, she graduated from Olean High School where she served as class President and was named "Most Popular" by her fellow classmates. She was employed at Leo's Supermarket in Allegany for nearly 30 years where she was quick with a laugh and a story for all who passed through. Mrs. Soplop embraced her Polish roots and encouraged her children and grandchildren to do the same. She served up homemade golumpki when the weather turned cold and shuffled the polka whenever the moment called for it. Her favorite pastimes included playing bridge in her monthly social clubs and sitting amongst family and friends, recounting memories. Her tale of "Gregory The Dog" continues to bring a smile to the faces of those who were lucky enough to hear it. She was an active member of St. Bonaventure Parish, where she attended weekly Mass, and was known to stuff the pockets and luggage of traveling family members with rosary beads for protection. To Skip, family was life's richest treasure and surviving are her three daughters Suzanne (Joseph) Finn of Allegany, Margaret (Michael) O'Connor of Syracuse, and Barbara (Peter) Wintermantel of Allegany; nine "top shelf" grandchildren, Katie Meyer, Molly Bates, Joseph Finn, Anne Truman, Ted O'Connor, Kelly O'Connor, Brad O'Connor, Peter Wintermantel, and Gretchen Rooney; eight great-grandchildren; several special nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special friends Martha Ryan and Dr. Hwang. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, Sr. Mary Orence and Martha Minchin; and four brothers, John, Frank, Bernard "Benny", and Michael Rucinski. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday (Sept. 17, 2012) beginning with a prayer service at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:30 a.m. in St. Bonaventure Church. The Rev. James Vacco, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Bonaventure Church, Allegany Fire Department, P.O. Box 95, Allegany, NY 14701, or to the Felician Convent, 600 Doat St, Buffalo, NY 14211.