The former Sophie V. Smietana, a retired co-owner, of Kurzanski's Meat and Groceries, at 601 Fulton Street, in Buffalo, New York, that served the "Valley - Old First Ward and Little Hollywood" Neighborhoods of South - East Buffalo, for over 55 Years, passed away of complication after hip surgery, at the age of 102.

Sophie led a very active Church life at the former Holy Apostles SS. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, in Buffalo, New York, which closed in 2007. While there she was a former president of the Parent Nuns Association, or the "PNA", a member of the Queen of May Society, the Parish Rosary Society, Bishop's Committee,  Mother's Club, Holy Name Ladies Auxiliary, Catholic Charities, and House Collection Committee and also selected as the Mother of the Year in 1960 by the SS. Peter & Paul Athletic Club.

She also enjoyed traveling with her husband Ed to Europe, England as well as to Texas, California, Maine, and all the states in between, to visit the children and grandchildren, for their special occasions. After retiring in 2001 Sophie moved into the Marine Drive Apartments and watched the growth of the canal-side area of Buffalo, with her final move to the Elderwood Assisted Living Complex in Cheektowaga, New York, where she passed away.

Sophie was always the Joyful, Happy, Life of the Party Gal and even at 102 kept all the younger seniors at the assisted living complex on their toes and kept them active. She was also the last member of her Birthday Dinner Club to pass away.

Sophie was married to her best friend, soul-mate, and the Love of her Life, her husband for over 60 years, the late Edward A. Kurzanski, who passed away June 27, 2001.

The devoted mother of Jacqueline (John) Lesniewski, Karen (Vincent) Haaland, Edward J. (Denise) Kurzanski, Paul J. (Joanne) Kurzanski and Jan (Shannon) Kurzanski.

A loving grandmother of Celeste (John) Glace, Jennifer (Colin) Cohen, Christian (Amy) Sorochty, Kiersten (Michael) Shevchik, Nathan (Julie) Sorochty, Thomas (Annie) Kurzanski, Sara (Jason) Riner, Anna (Alex) Yu-Rank, Cathrine Kurzanski, Jay (Shasha) Kurzanski and Jenna (Jeffrey) Masten and fond great-grandmother of Bennett Glace, Carter Glace, Isabel Glace, Grace Cohen, Ella Cohen, Graham Cohen, Anastasia Shevchik, Alexandra Shevchik, Reagan Riner, Grant Riner, and Eleanor Yu-Rank.

Sophie was born on Friday, October 18, 1918, in Buffalo, New York to the late Anna (nee Pawlowski) Smietana and late Joseph Smietana and was the dear sister of the late Theodore (late Angela) Smietana, late Michael Smietana, and the late Edward (late Angeline) Smietana.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at 10 AM at St. Michael's Church, at 651 Washington St. in Buffalo, New York. Please assemble at the Church.

Entombment will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, in Cheektowaga, New York.

Face coverings and social distancing will be required at all times during Mrs. Kurzanski's services.

The family appreciates your prayers and concerns during these trying times and would like to thank you for your support and understanding.

Please take a minute to share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Sophie's Tribute page.