Sophie P Gattie

Sophie Pauline Gattie departed this life for her heavenly reward on Sunday morning, January 21, 2018. She was born on May 10, 1924 in Lorain, Ohio to Josef and Sophie Michalek, both who came to America through Ellis Island from Poland. When Sophie was only 6 weeks old, her father was killed when a tornado struck Lorain. Sophie joined her one brother and three sisters in being raised by their mother who never remarried.

When Sophie was only 20 years old in the summer of 1944, she met the love of her life at the corner of West 42nd Street & Times Square, during a trip to see the sights in New York City with her sister Stella. Young Coast Guard sailor Tom Gattie on shore leave, recognized his future wife almost immediately. It was not long before he visited her family in Ohio, and later after the World War II was over, she visited his family in Fresno. They married in 1947 at St. John’s Cathedral and made their home in Fresno. They raised two sons, Tom Jr. and Joe, and later owned and operated Gattie’s Richfield Service Station at 399 Clovis Ave in Clovis, during the 1960s and 1970s. Sophie also held a second job, and later retired as an Account Clerk from the Fresno County Valley Medical Center in the late 1980s.

Sophie survived many heartaches and challenges in her life, including a number of surgeries and the loss of a leg due to the effects of diabetes. Unwilling to give up, Sophie lived out the remaining years of her life with her son Joe and his wife Sarah in their home in Old Town Clovis after the passing of her beloved sister Stella, with whom she had lived for many years.

Sophie was preceded in death by her parents Josef and Sophie Michalek

Brother Eddie Michalek

Sisters Charlotte Springowski and Stella Hacnik

And of course her husband, Tom Gattie Sr. who passed in 1993.

She is survived by:

Sister Josephine Carr

Son Tom Jr. and his wife Shirley

Son Joe and his wife Sarah

Grandson Tim Gattie Sr. and great grandchildren Tim Jr. and Angelina

Grandson Marc Gattie and great granddaughter Salisa

Granddaughter Misty Blanco and husband Thomas, and great granddaughter Riley

Granddaughter Amanda Cardoza and husband Curtis, and greatgrandson Jonathan with greatgrandson Michael on the way. Many nieces and nephews from California to Ohio.

And friends, special friends, whom she and they had the great fortune to meet.

Sophie leaves behind a legacy of sweetness, determination, and the unwillingness to complain about anything. Every helping hand in her care was met with appreciation and a sincere Thank You. Every new day was viewed as a great gift from God. Great lessons for all of us to remember.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Nancy Hinds Hospice and the Diabetes Association are appreciated.

Special thanks to Dr. Ani Ketabgian, Dr. Randal Stern, Dr. Thampi John, Dr. Steven Levy, RN Christina and Caregiver Charlotte from Nancy Hinds, along with grandson Tim Sr., who was Grandma Sophie’s “special and devoted caregiver”.

Sophie will be buried with graveside services at the Clovis Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 11:00am. Sheriff’s Chaplain Bill Hale officiating.