My deepest condolences on the loss of Sophia. I was so fortunate to have met this brave, resilient and caring woman. It was just not long enough.

Patty B.

Sophia was a second cousin, and we lived on different continents, so we only met rarely. However, in more recent years we corresponded by email on a semi-regular basis, and also met twice - once at a family reunion in Hungary, and then again when she visited London, UK (where I live) a couple of years later. I remember her as a great conversationalist and a warm, welcoming person: interested in everything and everyone, and always entertaining to be with. I also felt she had great powers of observation, which gave her a deep insight into human motivations and behaviours. I'm sure she was a great asset to the psychotherapy profession! I also remember Sophia as the guardian of our family's shared Hungarian history, and probably the last person on my side of the family who actually spoke and read Hungarian. In that sense, an era has passed with her - which in many ways is a great loss. However I also think that, while remembering and honouring the past, Sophia would definitely be urging us all to look to the future, and what actions we can take now to make it a good one. I shall be keeping that front of mind!

Over the years I remember meeting Sophia four or five times, in Europe and in Calgary. They were fleeting encounters until 2008 when she visited London and there was more time. I was glad to have the chance to talk to her, get to know her better, and hear more about the scattered and now religiously diverse family. Afterwards we corresponded occasionally by email. Hopefully Sophia has passed towards lightness and rest.

Elizabeth Elkan

Sophia was a very kind, caring person with a positive outlook. Her eyes and smile radiated warmth and acceptance. I enjoyed being in her presence. She paddled with Sistership dragon boat team from 2012 - 2017. She was a wonderful person.

My sincere condolence to son Peter and Amy.

Dianna Oberg

Sophie and I were room mates for a year, way back at the University of Victoria in 1972. We kept in touch on and off for many years, and then drifted apart. Last year, we reconnected and had some great visits in person in Calgary and then during her last visit to the West Coast. I can still hear her laugh..loved her curiosity about just about everything, and her adventurous spirit. Missing her dearly. Louise Cummings

Sophia influenced me without trying to, as a role model of goodness, courage in incredible adversity, curiosity, engagement, kindness and generosity. She walked the walk. Condolences to my fellow mourners: her family, friends and acquaintances. I am grateful to have known her.

I am among those of us who were fortunate to have met Sophia through dragon boating. I know that she enjoyed being on the water even though I’m sure limitations due to her health made it difficult. She was brave. She was very proud of her sons. She was dedicated to her work. May she Rest In Peace.

Susan Ridley

Although I did not know Sophia well, through the Unitarian Church of Calgary, I do remember her kind and calm way of speaking with me during the few conversations we shared. She seemed to be a very pleasant person, whom I wish I had gotten to know better.

Sophia and I worked together for several years. She helped many of my patients overcome hardships and improve their lives. I was always in awe of seeing how compassionate and dedicated she was to helping others, while she herself was going through cancer treatment and overcoming her own grief with the loss of her son. Over the years, we became friends, and I’d always enjoy our chats, and hearing about her travels and stories about her sons, who I could tell she was very proud of. She gave me great parenting advice and had a gentle way about her to ease my worries about raising my own kids. I’ll always remember her. She will be greatly missed.

I was so sad to hear about Sophia's passing. She was a kind, caring and active woman. She not only talked about being kind - her life was filled with kind actions. When I joined the Unitarian Refugee Committee she was one of many who welcomed me so warmly, Sophia asked many questions and was truly interested in who I was and how I was doing. When she discovered that i was caring for my mom at our home - she persuaded me to take breaks and remember to care for myself. She suggested that we go to the ballet. We did and Sophia and I had a lovely evening; and I realized that I did need to take care of myself as well as my mom. This was while Sophia was on her journey with cancer. Her focus was on healing others; and I was a recipient of her care and attention for which I will always be grateful. Her memories will gently remain with all who loved her and all who were lucky enough to have been cared for by her.

I was saddened to hear about the passing of your mother, Peter. I had the pleasure of working with Sophia for about two years, we saw patients together and although I was not that confident in my own counselling skills, she always made me feel like I was doing well and made me very comfortable. She and I became friends outside of work, as well, and she would send me text messages, she would e-mail me about projects she was passionate about (especially with helping support Syrian refugees), and it was obvious that she cared about people who were not as fortunate as her. The last time I saw her, she had to make a quick exit from counselling patients due to her health, and she decided to retire. I could tell that she was at peace with the decision, but that she was going to miss working with patients. We met at a Starbucks for coffee just after she retired (in June 2019) and she talked about you and John, her career, and her hopes for the upcoming year. It had been over a year since I had heard from her, and she came to mind so I had planned to text her when I got back from my recent weekend away, but then I saw the message that she had passed away. I can't say I didn't expect it, but it was still hard to hear. Her illness was affecting her daily, but she never told patients this because she didn't want to burden them with her own issues. She was a great human being and I am better having known her, as are the patients we saw together. I will miss her and I wish her peace into the next life. -- Dr. Clinton Logan

Sending Care and Comfort to you at this sad time. I am fortunate to have had the privilege to have met Sophia, even though it was for a brief time. Sophia's graciousness, love and admiration for her son and his gifts, our shared love of working with people and her strength will always be remembered. Kiran Randhawa

In the short time I knew her, Sophie taught me a lot about resilience, honesty and tenacity. Please be comforted in knowing she was well liked and loved by many and will be remembered.

Dear Peter and Amy

Your mom was an amazing person: empathetic, intellectually and spiritually curious, concerned about making our world a better place. We will miss her!

Elizabeth