Sophie Connors

Sophie (Frankiewicz) Connors, formerly of 10 Jackson Avenue (Rutland), passed away at the young age of 105½ at the St. Albans Healthcare and Rehab Center on August 7, 2021.

She was born on January 13, 1916, in her home at 87 Killington Avenue (Rutland), to Polish immigrants, Adolf and Mary (Chorzempa) Frankiewicz.  The seventh of nine children (Stephen, Thelma, Carl, Helen, Joseph, Stella, Sophie, John, and Mary Frances), Sophie adored being part of a large family and was proud of her Polish heritage.   She cherished her family and was an example to everyone on how to live a long life with grace, humor, and humility.  These traits enabled Sophie to weather huge changes throughout her life; she lived through the Depression, two world wars, and two pandemics.

Sophie graduated from Rutland High School in 1934.  While working at the Mt. Washington Hotel in New Hampshire, she was crowned Miss Bretton Woods in a beauty contest.  Sophie was secretary to the President of Central Vermont Public Service Corporation, Albert Cree.  She met Jerry Connors while skiing, and they were married in 1943.  Together, they were founding members of the Southwestern Vt. Federal Employees Credit Union (now the Credit Union of Vermont), where Sophie served as Assistant Treasurer. Jerry predeceased her in 2005.  After the war years Sophie, like so many of her generation, stayed at home raising her two daughters and was active in her church and in many Rutland activities.

A lifetime member of Christ the King Church until she moved out of Rutland in 2016 to live with her daughters, Sophie was a devoted member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Catholic Daughters of America.

Sophie spent over 40 years wintering in Orange City, Florida, where she enjoyed life and her many friends. She was totally interested in people, loved to play cards, and was known as GG to all.  She cherished her time with family, and, as she kept losing her dear friends, was determined to make new friends.  Even in her last month, when her body was failing, her mind was still sharp and she kept up the conversation, most often about the people she loved.

According to Sophie, the secret to her long life was dark chocolate, vinegar in her water, red wine, and laughter.  Sporting only a few gray hairs at age 105, she took great pride in the fact that she never colored her hair.  Sophie was a true embodiment of the saying "live long, laugh much, and love often."

She is survived by her two daughters: Mary Ellen Tamulonis of Colchester and Joanne Stewart (James) of West Danville; four grandchildren: Emily Stewart (Joe Bergan) of Amherst, MA, Robert Stewart of Berwick, ME, Jason Tamulonis (Kaitlyn) of Sammamish, WA, and Jennifer Scott (Chris) of Williston; 4 great grandchildren: Sophie and Sam Bergan, Julia and Brooke Tamulonis; and her sister, Mary Frances Riordan of Rutland and St. Petersburg, FL.  She has over 40 nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Church, Rutland, on Tuesday, August 17 at 10:30am.  At the request of the family, masks are required to attend the services.

Donations may be made to Christ the King Church, 66 S Main St., Rutland, VT 05701 or ANEW Place, 89 North Street, Burlington, VT 05401.

Clifford Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.