Sophie E. Vargo

James W. Shirley Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | June 11, 2023

Sophie E. Vargo, 95, of Duquesne, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 1, 2023. The daughter of the late George and Alice (Klipa) Evkovich, she was born on July 15, 1927 in Yukon, PA. She was predeceased by her brother, Mike Evkovich and sister, Mildred Dubich.

For years, Sophie held the longest record of employment in the City of Duquesne working 52 years as a sales clerk for Sally Fashions.

She served as a Sunday school teacher for over 70 years at her beloved St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville. “Teta Sophie” - as she was known by hundreds of children - always had her kids with her on Sundays and taught them that “We don’t run from God, we run to God.” Sophie loved her church family.  Sophie was a founding member and pillar of St. Nicholas Church fundraising tirelessly in order for the church to be built in 1970. She organized the ‘Od Srce’ Committee to benefit those in need in her church and community. She also volunteered her time in fundraising and working for Shadeland Camp. Sophie deeply appreciated all those who supported these organizations and her work for them.

Her unflagging service to the church and those in need brought her many honors and events that recognized her extraordinary impact. She was presented with an Episcopal Grammata - a Certificate of Faithfulness and Dedication to the Eastern Orthodox American and Canadian Diocese. In 1981, she was the recipient of The Post Gazette Citizen of the Year Award, and she was the first recipient of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Heritage Commission Award.  She also received recognition from the Commissioners of Allegheny County and the City of Duquesne for her volunteer service for the American Cancer Society, Children’s Hospital, Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, various nursing homes in the area, Family House and The Tamburitzans.

Sophie was known for her sharp mind and quick wit. She rarely missed a detail and loved nothing more than to enjoy a good laugh with people, often telling stories to cheer up those who were hurting.  In recent years, Sophie was helped by many who enabled her to live at home until the last several weeks of her life. On behalf of Sophie, her niece Elizabeth (Evkovich) Riddlesberger would like to thank the following - Dee Dee Baskot, Donna Vranasevic, Tom and Denise Englert and family, Birdie Fix, Carla Williamson and family, Danielle Smith and family, Janet Pribanic and family, Pat Kolar, Mary Ann Rome, Jaime Codispoti, Melissa Kochka, Mary Ann Tomich, Sava Saula, Martha Medich, Chuck and Claudia Lewicki, Bernie Cornelli and family, Mark Novakovich and family, Vic Pilipovich, and the Markoff, Klipa, Karas, Visnic, and Jovanovich families.  Your thoughtfulness and loving care meant the world to us both. May God return such kindness to you. Od Srce.

There will be no visitation.  Interment will be private in Grandview Cemetery, Export, PA.   Arrangements made by James W. Shirley Funeral Home, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, PA  15642.  www.shirleyfuneralhome.com

Originally published June 11, 2023.

Other deaths:
"Cecelia Apple" || "Jeremy A. Belliconish…"