Sophie Skaff

SIOUX CITY -- Sophie Skaff, 92, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, in Cedar Rapids following a brief illness. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 at St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Sioux City. Burial will be in St. Thomas Orthodox Cemetery, Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Trisagion service at 8 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Sophie was born May 18, 1919 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the youngest of Rustom and Sadie (Kacere) Nassif's nine children. She grew up on the southeast side, graduating from McKinley High School in 1937. She worked for her brother, James Nassif, at Nassif's Grocery until her marriage to Abraham Skaff of Sioux City, Iowa on September 24, 1950. She then moved to Sioux City with her husband and eventually had two sons, Gary J. Skaff and Dennis A. Skaff. Sophie worked along side her husband in his business as well as being active at church. She was involved with the Business Women's Association and also with the Ladies Club at St. Thomas Orthodox Church. Sophie's husband Abe passed away on May 17, 1985 at the age of 63. In 1988 Sophie moved back to Cedar Rapids to be near her siblings. She enjoyed cooking, watching old movies and spending time with her family. Sophie is survived by her sons and their wives, Gary and Fadia Skaff of Longwood, Florida; and Dennis and Connie Skaff of Central City, Iowa; three grand children, Nicholas and Justin Skaff of Longwood, Florida and Elizabeth Skaff of Central City, Iowa; two sister-in-laws, Annie (Mrs. Dean) Lockwood of Sioux City and LaSeema Malerelis of Texas; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and all her siblings, three brothers, James Nassif, M. Morey Nassif, and Louie Nassif; five sisters, Ida Nassif, Helen Hidder, Najebie Abdo, Mabel Abraham, and Emma David. Memorials may go to St. Thomas Orthodox Church, 1100 Jones Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51105 or St. George Orthodox Church, 3650 Cottage Grove Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.