Obituary of Nell Agnes (Burnham) Sopcak

Nell Agnes (Burnham) Sopcak Noted Philanthropist Nell Agnes (Burnham) Sopcak, 90, of Peabody and formerly of Lynn and Dayton, Ohio, died early Sunday afternoon at Sunrise at Gardner Park in Peabody following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of the late Charles Florian Sopcak. Born in Lynn on Sept. 26, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Alfred N. and Elsie M. (Cromey) Burnham. She was raised and educated in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn English High School, class of 1935. After high school, she attended Gordon School of Theology for a year, then Salem Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1940 as a Registered Nurse. She began her career at the General Electric Plant in Lynn as an Industrial Nurse. She met her husband at General Electric, married and moved to Racine, Wisconsin. A few years later she settled with her husband in Dayton, Ohio, where they lived for many years. While in Ohio, she was recognized by Elizabeth Dole for her extensive volunteer work and philanthropy to the American Red Cross. She also received recognition from the Ohio State Senate for her tireless Philanthropic work. Her other interests were poetry, gardening and music - including involvement with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Association and the Dayton Music Club as well as being a paid soloist at Grace Methodist Church in North Dayton. She was a supporter of Daybreak (housing and other services for homeless youth) and Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Greater Dayton. She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Warren E. and Phyllis M. Burnham of Lynn, twos sisters-in-law, Gretchen Sopcak of Howell, MI, and Agnes Sopcak of Valparaiso, IN; six nieces, Sandra Brown of New London, NH, Susan Sopcak of San Leandro, CA., Mary Sahs of Howell, MI., Dianne Bonderson of Limerick, ME, Elaine Fitzherbert of Newport News, VA, and Janet Hogan of Limerick, ME; two nephews, Robert Burnham of Lynn and Thomas Burnham of Swampscott; and also by several grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late William Albert Burnham. A Memorial Service will take place on WEDNESDAY at 3:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to either the Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923 or The First Church of Christ in Lynn, Congregational, 678 Lynnfield St., Lynn, MA 01904.