Maria “Sophia” (Jelenic) Sossi

Maria was born in the village of Racice, in Western Slovenia, (formerly Yugoslavia) on July 29, 1930. Her parents were Joseph and Ivana Jelenic, and they had 10 children ­ 3 boys and 7 girls. However, two of the brothers, Joseph and Anthony, passed away a while ago. A few years ago, Maria’s closest sister, Carla, and her husband, Erminio Yurman, from New York, also passed. Her brother Walter, recently passed away in Australia. Previously, Maria’s dear husband, Victor Sossi, to whom she was married for 42 years, died 25 years ago in 1996.

Maria is survived now by her four sisters and their families. Two of the sisters still live in Slovenia; Branka with her family and Maria’s other sister, Edda, and her husband and her daughter Helen and husband, Istok, and their daughters, Isabella and Stasha still remain in Slovenia. And Maria’s three other sisters: Gloria, Liliana, and Emma and their families all live in Australia. Finally, Maria is survived by her two beloved nephews, David Yurman and his children David and Isabella, from Queens, New York; as well as her second nephew, Stephen Yurman, West Palm Beach, Florida.

Maria’s life story begins in her small town of Slovenia and as she often describes her life as being a real survivor of the many terrible atrocities committed by the Nazis during the World War II on the people of her village; mistaking them as partisans. She starts school in her village, but she becomes very ill from tuberculous, and so she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Trieste, Italy. She is treated well, she learns a trade, and she continues her education. She even received a special cash award for her scholarship in school and her determination. She learns excellent sewing skills (dress-making and tailoring) which would serve her well as her profession throughout her life. At the age of 24, she meets the love of her life, Victor Sossi, a skilled pipefitter from Trieste and recalling, she said that she loved to ride on the back of his Vespa Motorbike. A year later, Victor and Maria are married in Italy in 1955. Maria applies for a Visa to immigrate to the United States. So, she and Victor are granted Visas and they arrive in New York City on Flag Day, June 14th, 1956. Her sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stupar supported their immigrant applications and Maria and Victor move to Marquette, Michigan.

However, Maria’s sister, Carla, another immigrant urges her to work with her at McCall’s Magazine as a dress pattern maker in New York City, which she does for a while. But, unable to find suitable work for Victor, so the Sossi’s return to Marquette to begin their lives anew. Victor works for the Cliffs Dow Chemical Company and Maria works at the Dallas Cleaners doing alterations, doing so for 5 years. In 1962, Maria and Victor become naturalized citizens ­ a very joyful occasion for both. Then Maria starts working for Lou’s Apparel on Washington Street then later the store moves to the Marquette Mall. She continues for 22 years as an Alterations Expert and Wedding Gown Fitter. After Lou’s Apparel closes, Maria needs to find work again because Victor has become very ill and he eventually dies in 1996.

Maria then becomes the housekeeper and cook for Bishop Mark F. Schmidt at the Bishop’s House on Rock Street in Marquette. She works there for 8 years until Bishop Schmidt retires. Then she works as a housekeeper and cook for Msgr. Louis Cappo at the St. Peter Cathedral Rectory for 12 years until Maria finally retires at the age of 75 in 2005.

So, what is Maria’s legacy ­ how is she to be remembered? First of all, she loved Almighty God with her whole heart and soul, and she was a devout Catholic throughout her lifetime. She served as a member of the Eucharistic Adoration Group and as a member of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. She also served as a Slovenian translator for the Bishop Baraga Association. The Venerable Frederic Baraga was originally from Slovenia; remember. Maria also volunteered for the Dominic Jacobetti Veteran’s Home, visiting the sick and helping the veterans. Finally, being a skilled seamstress, she was a member of the Marquette County Quilters Guild. She loved her family and has collected over 22 photo albums of her travels and adventures to Australia, the United States, and to her native Slovenia and to Northern Italy. She has been most fortunate to visit her sisters and their families in Slovenia 10 times. She still loves her immaculately-kept blue house on Rock Street and her little blue Toyota. Although, recently her car was sold. Maria is known as a very meticulous gardener and flower arranger. Her lawn is like a velvet green carpet and there are no “sinful” weeds living there for sure.

Maria Sossi was/is definitely a lifelong learner with such an insatiable curiosity for learning, studying history, listening to and relating great stories, and her pursuit of enrichment education. She was well-versed in current events and the news of the day and loved to discuss the whys and wherefores of these events, social issues and political concerns. Maria completed her high school diploma at Marquette Senior High School in 1999. In fact, she was asked to be the graduation speaker by her teachers and classmates on her graduation night. Maria nicknamed “Sophia” Sossi is a character you would never forget and one that you would always remember. She has had an amazing career with so many amazing adventures and life stories retold, often. She always welcomed so many visitors and dear friends to her home to have a coffee and a sweet, or a meal and to listen to her many stories and commentaries. And yes, after her funeral Mass at St Peter Cathedral, she will be buried next to her beloved husband, Victor, in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Marquette, Michigan.

Date and time of visitation and funeral will be forthcoming.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com