Barbara C. Sochovka of Taylor, Pa., passed away on May 26, 2023, at Linwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family. Her husband of 56 years, Thomas J. Sochovka, preceded her in death.
Born Aug. 31, 1934, in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Michael P. and Barbara Kipikasa Glinsky. She was a graduate of Holy Ghost Parochial School, St. Patrick's High School and Marywood College (1956) with degrees in education and music. Barbara had a great love of music. She was the organist of Holy Ghost Church in Olyphant as a teenager and adult for many years. She taught school in Lake Hopatcong, N.J., for a few years, then returned to Taylor to raise a beautiful family. She was a substitute teacher for Riverside School District and was an active PTA member for many years. She was a past president of the first Catholic Slovak Union Branch 90 and a 50-year member. She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Taylor. She was an avid quilter, loved to read, loved to sing, and loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She also managed the Michael P. Glinsky Funeral Home for 25 years.
She was considered the matriarch of the Sochovka family. She was the epitome of a mother, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. She raised seven wonderful children. She was the grandmother and babysitter of 15 grandchildren, and proudly loved four great-grandchildren. She always welcomed anyone into her home. Even in her final days she was polite and courteous to everyone around her. She was a constant caregiver. She can now sing in heaven being reunited with the love of her life. We will miss her, but know she will be watching over her family.
She is survived by five sons, Tom and wife, Mary, Moosic; Jamie and wife, Kristie, Nashville, Tenn.; Robert and wife, Wendy, Clarks Summit; Bill and wife, Shelia, Fayetteville, N.C.; and Paul and wife, Kara, Taylor; two daughters, Susan Graziano and husband, Frank, Littleton, Colo.; and Barb Chisdock and husband, Frank, Moosic; grandchildren, Marissa Fanfan (Stanley), Ryan Chisdock, Chris Graziano (Laura), Frank Graziano, Lisa Allardyce (Tom), Allison Ulrich (AJ), Kevin (Emilia), Justin, Brandon (fiancée, Jordan), Corey, Jon, Emily, Matthew, Nicholas and Grace; great-grandchildren, Harper, Sophia and Gabriella Fanfan, and Dominic Sochovka.
She is also survived by her brother, Michael P. Glinsky and sister-in-law, Pat; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Joan Ksiazek and husband, Tom; brothers-in-law, John, Albert, Carl, Joseph, and George and Andrew Lenns; and four sisters-in-law, Frances, Anna, Mary Czubowicz and Velma Cuny.
Funeral Mass will be Monday at 9:30 a.m. in Divine Mercy Parish at St. Joseph's Church, 312 Davis St., Scranton.
Friends may call Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Michael P. Glinsky Funeral Home Inc., 129 Grant St., Olyphant, Pa. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Those attending the Mass are asked to proceed directly to church.