Sophia T. Urbanik

In her 97th year Sophia T. Stempkowski Urbanik passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Sophia was born Sept. 26, 1923, in Clymer, N.Y., her parents were Walter and Josephine (Napierala) Stempkowski.

In 1928, they moved to Corry, Pa. They lived there until she completed the sixth grade at St. Edward’s Catholic School, and then moving to Dunkirk. She was a graduate of Dunkirk High School.

After graduation, Sophia worked in the bookkeeping department at The ALCO Plant, where the factory workers were producing 9 mm. gun parts for the World War Il effort. She then moved to Buffalo, to work at the Chevrolet Plant making airplane parts. After the contract ended, she found employment at General Mills, running the machines in the cereal and baking departments.

When the war ended in 1948, she returned to Dunkirk to work in the ALCO Plant running a blue-print machine, where she met her husband-to-be, Paul Frank Urbanik “Cappy”. They were married Dec. 2, 1950, at St. Hedwig’s Church. After marriage, she worked at The Dunkirk Ice Cream Plant, Appian Way Pizza Plant, UpJohn Health Care Services, Accredited Care and Office For the Aging. Sophia did private, home health care for 55 years caring for seniors and the disabled.

Sophia owned and operated a cake-making business. She was especially known for her ornate multi-layered wedding cakes and her character cakes for all occasions. She enjoyed crafting, gardening, cooking, baking, canning, collecting, traveling and needlework. Her chili, pierogj and golumbki recipes were highly prized.

She planted and cared for a vegetable and flower garden until the age of 91. She especially enjoyed her trips to Poland and Hawaii.

Sophia belonged to and held offices in AARP, Chapter 299, the Mother’s Club, Rosary Society and Ladies Society of St, Hedwig’s Catholic Church, Sunshine Club for Blessed Mary Angela Parish, Boy Scouts at The Kosciuszko Club,Home Bureau of Dunkirk; World War Il Vets Club and Kosciuszko Club Pinochile Clubs, Buffalo Bills Booster Club of Dunkirk, Fredonia Beaver Club and Dunkirk Moose Club.

She is survived by her son, James Jeffrey (Linda) Urbanik of Riverview, Fla.; three grandchildren: Elizabeth (Joshua) Ehmke of Brocton, N.Y., Danielle (Zakir) Sadiki and Ashley (William) Bullock of Riverview, Fla.; and by great-grandchildren; Kadin, Hailey and Xavior Ehmke, Zakir and Hunter Sadiki, Madyson, Olivia and Deklan. She is also survived by good friends: Suzanne and Patrick Mackowiak and their daughters, Patricia, Jennifer and Kathryn and their families, Angeline Smith Leone and George Giambra; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death in addition to her parents by her son, Paul Gerard Urbanik; husband, “Cappy” Urbanik; brother, John Stempkowski; sisters: Mary Gebczyk and Alice Pawloski.

Following the protocols and guidelines administered by the governor of NY, relatives and friends may call Thursday from 4-6 p.m., at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 E Doughty Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. in Blessed Mary Angela Parish Church of St. Hedwig.

Memorial donations are suggested to Our Lady of Victory Homes Of Charity or The Father Baker Guild 780 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, NY 1421, or Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750.