Sophie Java Richardson

Sophie Richardson (née Sophie Java) died peacefully in her sleep the morning of November 22, 2024, in Burlington, Massachusetts. She passed two weeks after her 101st birthday, and while she was proud that she lived past 100, she was most proud that she knew it! In her final months Sophie repeated that she was ready to leave this world and “cash in my chips, but neither the Good Lord nor the Devil want me.” We cannot be certain who came to collect her soul that Friday, but we’ll believe the former until she sends us a sign to the contrary. In the event Sophie found herself facing judgment for her sins, no doubt she would have a witty explanation for each misdeed and charm her way through the pearly gates.

Sophie was born on November 7, 1923, in Pittock, Pennsylvania, to recent eastern European immigrants Peter and Nellie Java. She was the youngest of five siblings, all of whom predeceased her. She graduated from high school in 1941 and was encouraged by her teachers to pursue a college education—a path out of the realm of financial possibility for her family. Instead she left home at age 18 and went to Washington, D.C., where she became a secretary in a wartime rationing agency and later worked for a Congressman on Capitol Hill. She worked tirelessly to ensure her children could receive a top-notch education, a value which stayed with her throughout her life. After raising her children, she returned to work as an executive secretary for multiple large corporations. As she grew older, Sophie credited the unceasing sharpness of her mind to the focus and detailed listening she developed taking dictation. She credited her physical longevity and resilience to drinking Ovaltine and “walking anywhere I needed to go” as a child. 

In 1953, Sophie married Donald Richardson, a WWII veteran and journalist. She would often remark that “he had a car, and I had $200.” Together they created a committed, successful marriage and a loving, comfortable family with two children. Sophie treated motherhood with the same seriousness with which she treated her career and always put her family at the center of her attention, love, and commitment. She attended her husband’s and children’s events no matter what. Sophie raised her children with three implicit equations: food = love; work = success; and cleanliness = morality. After retiring, Sophie and Don traveled the world together, crossed the United States multiple times, vacationed at the beach, and participated with their grandchildren. 

Those who knew Sophie appreciated her humor and were witness to her openness with her opinions and experiences. Sophie knew what she liked: her soup hot, her martini cold, and her ice cream frequent. She was a reader, a basketball fan, a mischief maker, a foodie, a movie buff, and a music lover. In September, after learning her prognosis, she sang (from memory, in the emergency room) Guy Lombardo’s “Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)”. 

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.

 Sophie is survived by her two children, Shelley Richardson Hill (and her husband Bob) of Lynchburg, VA, and Donald “Scott” Richardson (and his wife Sue), of Concord, MA; her three grandchildren, Douglas Hill (and his wife Michelle), Danny Hill (and his wife Abbey), and Sophie A. Richardson; and her two great-grandchildren, Olivia Hill and Levi Hill. She was beloved by her nieces, nephews, neighbors, and caretakers. She spent the last six years of her life in the loyal and diligent care of the staff at Stonebridge Assisted Living in Burlington, MA. As with every community of which she was a part, Sophie made a name for herself there and had close relationships with the people around her.

 Sophie will be buried beside her husband’s grave at Amelia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia County, Virginia.

In remembrance of Sophie, please enjoy your favorite beverage, pickled beets or hot soup, or play some music—she will be with you in spirit. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

 Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com