Sophia Kosta dies in Fullerton, CA

Sophia Kosta
Dec. 30, 1928 - December 10, 2011

Wife, mother of six, grand-mother to 15, supernonnie of two, sister to five, master gardener and avid reader, Sophia Kosta died December 6th of heart disease. She died peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Akron Ohio on December 30, 1928, to Sophia and Jack Yuhas, she was a lively child who could read by the time she entered kindergarten at St. Paul's Catholic School in Akron, Ohio where she also graduated High School. She went to Akron University, studied for two years and married Nick Kosta on January 17, 1948. In 1951 they moved to California, living in South Gate, Holydale, Whittier, and finally Fullerton. She loved family, friends, and intellectual discussion. Her favorite things were roses, the color blue, books, food, Welsh Corgi's and all things British. She was kind and generous, though frugal, and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She was a lifelong "blue dog democrat". She taught her children never to demean others and she herself practiced what she preached. She also had a voice like an angel, could decorate a cake better than a professional and would give you her left shoe if you said you liked it. She loved and remained close with her sisters, going on annual "sisters week" vacations. She was loyal and true to all those she loved. She touched so many lives and was loved by so many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sophia and Jack Yuhas. She is survived by her husband, Nick Kosta; and her beloved dog, Zoltan; her children, Connie Mistretta, Nikki Thompson, Christine Bianco, John Kosta, Laurie Watts, and Andrea Kosta as well as her daughter-in-law and four sons-in-law. She is also survived by all of her sisters, Connie Beltakis, Mary Ann Trifero, JoAnn Raynow, Becky Maximovich and Julie Williams; as well as all 15 of her grandchildren and her two great-grandchildren as well as innumerable relatives and friends.

A Rosary and viewing will be held at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary at 903 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832 on Monday, December 12. The viewing will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 13 at St. Juliana Falconieri Church, 1315 N. Acacia Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92831.

To honor Sophia's enjoyment of the holiday season and her death on the Feast of St. Nicholas, the family suggests bringing wrapped and indentified gifts for a child or teen to be distributed at the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Food and Toy Drive.
[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Saturday, December 10, 2011, page B5, col. 4]