Julianna P. Sokolik

Julianna Catherine (nee Piecara) Sokolik, passed away, at the age of 83, on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, suddenly at home.  Born in Chester, Pennsylvania on August 29, 1938. Julianna, was named after her paternal grandmother, and was raised in the West end of Chester, on Hayes Street.

Julianna was a member of St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Church from infancy through young adulthood; attending St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Elementary School through the 8th grade.  Julianna completed her education in the Chester school system, which included a concentration on business, graduating from Chester High School in June 1956.  She lived at home, on Ward Street, with her parents and five siblings until her marriage in February 1960.  Julie became a longtime Essington resident, for over 61 years, when she married and moved into her husband’s family homestead.

Julianna dedicated her life to volunteer service and nurturing others.  Assisting Interboro Music Boosters, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts and other various organizations over her many years, she also served as longtime Vice President of American Legion Killen-Miles Auxiliary No. 87, Lenni, Pa.  In addition, Julie held, for multiple terms, the office of President of the "49ERS" Social Senior Club.  As an active and devout member of the Orthodox faith, Julianna served the church as a Sunday School teacher and on numerous committees for over the 45 years at St. Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church.  Previous to St. Michaels, Julianna was a parishioner, since her conversion to the Orthodox faith, of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Chester, PA.  In recognition of a lifetime of dedication and service to the faith, Julianna was granted the honor of a Gramata from the Patriarchate of Moscow, which was presented to her by Archbishop Justinian in November 2013.  Julianna was employed by DuPont located in Wilmington, Delaware in her younger years, before retiring from Dobbs International/Gate Gourmet Airline Catering Services after more than 35 years of service.

Julianna had an unending love for music of all genres.  Her husband, “Cossack Sam the Accordion Man” was a talented musician – Julie enjoyed listening to him play his Excelsior accordion.  Her husband was founder and leader for over 40 years of "The Nite Riders" polka band playing in the tri-state area every weekend, hence, Julie and her older sister, Stella, would be seen keeping the beat to every song on the dance floor, all night long at church festivals, weddings, anniversaries, parties, and ethnic social clubs.  Julie enjoyed dancing the polka, Russian /Ukrainian Figure dances and especially, the Strauss waltz which was always with her husband.  The couple was highlighted in the Daily Times and received an invitation to appear on Johnny Carson.  Her day would never be complete if she did not read the Daily Times newspaper, or Chester Times as it was called back in the old days.

Julianna is predeceased by husband of 54 years, Samuel Sr who passed in 2014; an infant son, Gregory Sokolik, who passed in 1967; her parents, Sigmund and Catherine (nee Lucko) Piecara; brother Sigmund Piecara Jr; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of the Sokolik, Shelby, Morris, Piecara, Windsor and Gartland families.

Survivors: two sons, Samuel Sokolik, Jr of Essington, Pa; Dimitri Sokolik (Malinda) of Media, Pa; two daughters, Tanya Sokolik-Porch (Paul) of North Carolina; Nadine Sokolik (Kenneth Koscinski) of Essington, Pa; two granddaughters, Amelia and Lucia; grandson, Alexei; sister, Stella Windsor-Gartland; Brothers Frank Piecara and Joseph Piecara; many, many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.  Her love for animals was evident as she cared for all of her "grand-pets,” especially, Nikolai the cat, and Chewie the dog.

Services: Viewing for Julianna will be after 9:30 a.m., Monday, January 17, 2022 at Saint Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church.  Following Julianna's Funeral Service in church at 11:00 AM; burial will take place at Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood, PA.  If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Michael the Archangel R.O. Church or  L.E.E.K. Preserve: Serving All Veterans of All Wars, 497 PA-244 Oswayo, PA 16915. 

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