Racine– Our sweet-precious angel, Sophia Virginia Rybarik, age 2, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep, joining the choirs of angels in Heaven, on Saturday, December 22, 2012.
Sophia was born on November 26, 2010 to David and Cara (nee: Bowman) Rybarik. Since then, she has brought much joy and happiness to the lives of everyone she met. Every photo taken of Sophia has been a perfect capture of a child – who was always smiling and enjoying life. Sophia loved her baby dolls and, most recently, had a special fondness for candy canes. Although small in stature, Sophia left an enormous print on the hearts of many.
Surviving are her broken-hearted parents, Dave and Cara; sister, Grace (age 15); brother, Bryce (age 7); and sister, Sydney (age 4); grandparents, Patty and Don Deram, Eva Buchanan, Dennis and Deanna Rybarik; great-grandmother, Elizabeth Pollard; uncles and aunts, Dennis (Tami) Rybarik, Donald (Lisa) Rybarik, Debra (Jiro) Kaisserlain, Dawn (Jim) Weidner and Nicole Rivera; cousins, Kayleigh, Ian, Holly, Tyler, Mitchell, Rachel, Ani, Alise, Ariana, Scout, Rhegan, Finley, Ariana and Aunika; God-parents, Brian and Susan LoPiccolo; God-brother, Brayden LoPiccolo; her canine companion, Meiko; other dear relatives and family friends too numerous to mention by name.
Sophia was preceded in death by her great-grandfather, Jerome Bowman; great-grandparents, June and Gil Niesen, Vladamir and Irene Rybarik; great-uncles, David Rybarik and Tom Cullen; and great-aunt, April Bolling.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 10:00 am at St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Avenue, with Fr. Kevin C. Mullins, OSA officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Highway 32. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday (tonight) from 5-8 pm and in the church on Saturday from 9-10 am. In memory of Sophia, give a big hug and kiss to the loved ones in your life! Contributions to the “Sophia Rybarik Memorial Fund” at St. Rita's CARES Daycare program have been suggested.
“Those we have held in our arms for a little while, we hold in our hearts forever.”
June Herrera Doyne says
My heart goes out to you and your families many prayers and hugs words cannot express…I am so sorry for your loss.
Pam Strasser and family says
Sophia is an amazing little girl always playing with our kids at your family gatherings. Our sympathy and prayers are with you always.
Extended Stevens Family of Rich & Steph Petska says
Nicole Grunewald says
I don’t know the family or friends of this beautiful new angel…but I am a mother and cannot imagine the hurt your hearts all feel during this most difficult time. I pray peace finds you…in small moments, in the silent stillness of the days ahead…until you are with your angel again.
Nicole Grunewald says
I don’t know the family or friends of this beautiful new angel…but I am a mother and cannot imagine the hurt your hearts all feel during this most difficult time. I pray peace finds you…in small moments, in the silent stillness of the days ahead…until you are with your angel again.
Jeff & Donna Nelson says
David & Cara,
our hearts go out to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. It was a total shock when I heard the news and our hearts broke.
John and Liz Poracky says
Cara, David, Grace, Bryce, and Sydney,
We are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Sophia. May God hold you in the palm of his hand at this most difficult time.
Kathlene Bell says
Our heart breaks for you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.
– Kathlene Tindall Bell & Family
Jacqueline Gross says
My thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. My heart is heavy hearing of this tragic news. There is a beautiful angel in heaven now.
Karen Seaholm says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
melissa Diener says
Dave and Cara,
No words can express our sorrow for you, Know that you and your family are well loved and we will all join togather and help you through this.
Heather Bushweiler Wilson says
Cara and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. She was beautiful, my heart is broken for you. God Bless.
Marisa Martin Levy family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your angel and all of your family. May she live on forever in all the hearts she has touched in her short but memorable life <3
Debra Kaisserlian says
I will treasure every moment we had. Thank you for being a special part of our family. Always in our heart. Love You!!
Lori Themar says
Sending all of our love & prayers to you during this time of sorrow and loss. We are thinking of you all and praying for you everyday. All our love, The Themar Family
Mickey and Jenni (Weeks) Steiner says
Dave,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Wanda says
may be gone but will never ever be forgotten! Always such a good girl.
Julie Redmon says
Thinking of you all and holding you close in my thoughts and prayers. Extending my deep and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your precious little Sophia.
Dora Rivera Jacobson says
Dear Cara and Dave…there are no words that can express how sorry we are for your loss. Praying for you during this extremely difficult and painful time.
Carla Stirle says
I heard of Sophia’s passing via Susan Lopiccolo’s facebook page. I am so sorry for your loss…your precious baby girl was taken far too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Christy Thedorf says
Thinking of all of you during this very difficult time. Jesus is holding her hand now.
John J. Manning says
My God hold your dear daughter close to Him, and may he bring you solace and hope in your grief. Your daughter and your family will be in my family’s constant prayers.
Fronjian Family(Jiro's Uncle & Family) says
We pray the Love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief.We send you thoughts of comfort.
Lisa, Clint, & Nora Wiedholz says
Rybarik family,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful angel. We are sending prayers and thoughts to you. Nora will miss playing with Sophia at St. Rita’s and we will miss seeing her smiling face.
Blessings,
Lisa, Clint, & Nora Wiedholz
Kristi Bakken says
Dave,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. You and your family are in my prayers.
Kristi Bakken