Obituary of Sofia Straub
August 4, 1933 - Vytina, Greece
December 1, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta
Sofia Straub, beloved wife of the late Albert Straub, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at the age of 91 years.
Sofia was born in Vytina, Greece on August 4, 1933.
Growing up as the youngest of six children, Sofia was both teased and spoiled by her siblings. Sofia was always an adventurous soul.
After finishing nursing school in Athens, Greece, she traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to work as a nurse and explore Canada. She had a talent for languages, and it was remarkable how she taught herself English on the boat ride over, then later enrolled in night classes at the local university to learn Spanish. It was during her travels as a nurse that she found herself in the northern Alberta town of High Prairie. Here she met Albert, the love of her life, who she still talked about until her death. They would later marry and move to Calgary, AB, to raise their three boys. Albert worked in the oil industry, and as he often worked out of town, the household duties of managing three boys fell upon Sofia. A doctor once commented to her on how tough she was. She told him that she raised three boys, so she had to be.
Sofia always loved to travel with Albert, and after he passed, she continued to visit familiar and new places all over the world. There were numerous trips to Europe, Mexico, South America, Hawaii, and cruises to Alaska. She loved beaches and water, which prompted her to take swimming lessons as an adult. Her love of the water carried over in her daily life in Calgary as she would often go to aquacise classes three times a week. Lunch with the ladies afterwards was also a fond activity. Sofia was a social butterfly, and kept up old relationships with friends and neighbors, and always forged new friendships wherever she went. She was a kind and generous soul, and will always be remembered for this, whether it was baking cookies for the neighbors and bazaars at the Greek church or caring for a sick friend or relative, as her nursing habits stayed with her.
Sofia is survived by her three sons Matthew of High Prairie, AB, Costa (Carola) of Katy, Texas and Nicholas (Sonia) of Calgary, AB, as well as her three grandchildren, Maurice and Christopher of Katy, Texas, and Naomi (Yarri) of Calgary, AB, and two great-grandchildren, Jarreth and Jasper of Calgary, AB, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Sofia was predeceased by her husband Albert, her parents, Kostas and Vasiliki, brothers Harry, Pete and Nick, as well as sisters Penelope and Yula.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Mclinis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday December 5, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Sofia’s family here.
In living memory of Sofia Straub, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
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