Sophie (Nicewicz) Edwards, 87, of Brockton, died on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 3:24 AM at Life Care Center, West Bridgewater, MA, after a period of failing health. She was the wife of Roy C. Edwards, Sr., with whom she had celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on April 18th. Mrs. Edwards was born in New Bedford on November 10, 1921, the daughter of John and Matylda (Szafir) Nicewicz. Raised and educated in New Bedford, she graduated from New Bedford High School in 1941 and later from Kinyon Secretarial School. She worked as a secretary in several defense factories during World War II after her husband left to serve in the U.S. Navy and later worked on production lines in an electronics factory. She retired from this factory work, after the birth of their first child, to become a full-time mother and homemaker. After the transfer of her husband from a defense factory in New Bedford to Norwood in 1960, they settled in Brockton and raised two other children. The eldest son served in the Navy during the Viet Nam War.
Mrs. Edwards was an excellent cook and loved to create new and enticing dishes, often making extra for neighbors and relatives. She was always happy working in the garden, planting vegetables and flowers in the small backyard. Sophie prided herself in her service to the elderly, the disabled and to other friends with housekeeping assistance.
Mrs. Edwards was a devout parishioner of St. Edith Stein/St. Edward’s Parish never failing to attend weekly Mass where she enjoyed meeting with other parishioners. She was a generous donor to charitable drives at the church and to other community organizations.
In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her son Roy C. Edwards, Jr. and his wife Rosemarie, and daughter Paula A. Bartorelli, all of Brockton, and son James A. Edwards and his wife Heidi Wunsch-Edwards, of Fairhaven, MA, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She also leaves many nieces and nephews who reside mostly in the greater New Bedford area.
Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Saturday, May 9, at 9:30am. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Edith Stein/St. Edward’s Parish at 10:30am. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours Friday, May 8, from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sophie can be made to St. Edith Stein’s Renovation Fund, 71 East Main St, Brockton, MA 02301.