Sophia Whitmore

Sophia Whitmore, resident of Novato for nearly 30 years, and former longtime resident of the Chicago area, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.

She was born Sophia Georgopoulos in Chicago, Illinois on June 23, 1922. She spent her early childhood in Greece with her mother, aunt and grandmother and moved back to Chicago when she was eleven. She met Christopher Whitmore in New York and they married in 1946. They lovingly raised their only son, Daniel Christopher Whitmore, in the suburbs of Chicago.

She retired in her fifties from working at State National Bank in Evanston and Glenview, Illinois, and they moved to Santa Rosa to be closer to family. Chris passed away in 1985, and Sophia moved to Novato to care for her three young grandsons. Devoted grandmother, she happily chauffeured each boy from school to numerous practices, friends’ houses, a trip or two to the candy store, and took great care in preparing dinner for the family. She shared her cooking secrets with her grandsons who have all become great cooks. She will be fondly remembered for her incredible passion and selfless love for her family. She is also fondly remembered by all of their friends who spent many hours at the Whitmore home. She was a devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Church, where she found joy and peace in service and prayer.

More recently, she loved watching the San Francisco Giants and visiting with her four great-grandchildren, whose photos covered the walls of her home. She drove until she was 90 and will be forever remembered zipping along the streets of Novato, where she was a loyal patron of Lucky, Longs and Harvest markets. She greatly enjoyed her shopping trips and “coffee and” with her son.

Heaven has gained an Angel that Earth will sorely miss. May her memory be eternal and may her kind and gentle spirit forever shine upon us.

She is survived by her only son, Dan Whitmore and daughter-in-law, Maureen Whitmore; grandsons, Christopher, Shane and Blake and their wives, Andrea, Carina and Gina; great-grandchildren, Jack, Reed, Levi and Olivia. She also has extended family in the Chicago and Boston areas, who she would write to frequently.

Funeral arrangements have been made by Keaton’s and her funeral will be held at Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Novato, at 11 am on Tuesday, October 28. Burial immediately following the funeral service at Valley Memorial Cemetery in Novato. Reception to follow at the Whitmore’s residence, 8 Christopher Court, in Novato. Trisagion will also be held at the Church at 6 pm on Monday, October 27.