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Sheila Loyola Cowan Sopper peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of January 2, 2006 at her daughter's home in San Antonio, Texas where she was lovingly cared for through her illness by her Husband of fifty years, John T. Sopper. Sheila and John were high school sweethearts at East Syracuse High School and were wed in Saint Matthew's Roman Catholic Church in East Syracuse, New York, on August 13, 1955. They raised four children together with lots of hard work, love and laughter. Sheila had a quick wit and amazing smile, filled with warmth and charisma. The couple's devotion to each other and to their family was inspirational, and served as a grounding force for the entire family. Her unconditional love to her children can never be repaid and is already sorely missed. She loved her six grandchildren and prided herself on spoiling them with imaginative and special toys and special experiences. John and Sheila were able to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary this past August surrounded by all of their children and grandchildren. Sheila was born on August 25, 1936, the youngest of the ten children of longtime railroad engineer, William "Wild Bill" Cowan and Ruth Trimmer Cowan, loving matriarch and longtime Saint Matthew's parishioner and choir member. Sheila was a beautiful child and grew into a beautiful woman both inside and out. Like her father, she worked on the railroad for over 14 years, serving as a telephone operator and executive secretary. After retirement from the railroad, she put her lovely voice to work at Syracuse Language Systems as a receptionist. Like her mother, Sheila possessed a beautiful singing voice and was a strong woman who knew how to take care of her family and how to teach them how to love each other, support each other, and to survive in the world. Her children hope to be able to continue this legacy into the next generations. Sheila is survived by her husband, John T. Sopper; their children: Sheila Mary Sopper Jeff Davis, John R. Sopper Woodson Faulkner, Ruth Sopper Troy John David Troy and Bridgette Sopper 0liva Damaso 01iva, Jr.; their grandchildren: Jessica Clair Stirpe and her fiancé Dave Allen, Michael Jared Stirpe, David John Troy, Rachel Louise Troy, Maureen Elizabeth 01iva and Daniel Patrick 01iva. Sheila is also survived by her loving brother and sister-in-law, Edmund and Marguerite Cowan; brother-in-law Al Voodre, and sister-in-law Mary Cowan; her sisters and brothers in-laws: Maryanne Sopper Hayes and Otto Hayes, and Kathy Sopper Needle and O. Dean Needle; as well as beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Sheila was loved by several who preceded her in death: her parents Bill and Ruth and her in-laws, Frank and Mary Sopper; her siblings and in-laws: Ruth Cowan Langdon and Everett Langdon, Lorna Cowan Voodre, Clair Cowan Snyder and Robert Snyder, Naomi Cowan Blaisier and Dick Blaisier, Joan Ann Cowan, and brothers William, Bruce, and James "Gig" Cowan, and brother-in-law Robert F. Sopper. SERVICES Visitation and services will be held Friday, January 13, at Forani and Cline Funeral Home, 206 Kinne Street, E. Syracuse, NY, 315 437-3241, Funeral Procession will depart the funeral home, Saturday, January 14, at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 AM Mass at St. Matthews Catholic Church Kinne St., East Syracuse. Interment to follow at St. Marys Cemetery, Minoa, NY. Donations can be made to Project Children, PO Box 933, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925 or to the Alzheimers Association.

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Sheila Loyola Sopper

August 25, 1936 - January 2, 2006