Sophia F. Allcott
Sophia Franches Allcott, 87, formerly of Salt Lake City, passed away Monday July 2, 2018. Born in Tooele on June 13, 1931 into a family of Greek immigrants, her aspiration to succeed in the larger world led her first to Salt Lake City, and then to live and contribute to others' lives in many parts of the US. A graduate of Tooele High School, she worked at the phone company as a switchboard operator and relocated to Salt Lake where, along with her sister, Stella, she established her independence. In 1958, she met John Allcott, to whom she was married for 30 years. They raised a family of four children and lived, travelled, and enjoyed camping through various parts of the country, finally settling in Moline, Illinois, where she ensured her children's well-being and future.
Always a devoted mother, Sophia was happiest giving to others and taught her children to do the same. In the 1970's, through the United Methodist Church, she coordinated the relocation of an immigrant Vietnamese family to Illinois; her goodwill and empathy ensured that they were not only able to establish a life and livelihood in America, but also to secure the future of their children. Later in life, when she returned to Salt Lake, she first volunteered, then became a house manager at the Ronald McDonald House where her compassion for children and her resilient spirit made a difference in the lives of many families.
In Salt Lake City, she created a home and garden in the Avenues that were a respite and comfort to family and friends. She moved to Cookeville, TN to be near her son's family. She loved live classical music and was an ardent supporter of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, attending performances frequently.
Sophia grew up speaking Greek and English, loved Greek food and dancing, and shared her heritage with her family. She was proud to have traveled to Greece as an adult where she met extended family for the first time. Baptized in the Greek Orthodox church, she raised her family in the United Methodist Church; she was most recently a member of First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City.
She is survived by her children Lisa (Salt Lake City), Michael and partner Sergey Moskovtsev (Toronto), Philip and wife Regina (Midland, TX) and Daniel and wife Susan Capron (Cookeville, TN); her grand-children Carter, Jacqueline, Daria, and Sophia, her sister Stella Franches (Salt Lake City), her niece Geneve Cromar and husband Mark (Salt Lake City); and many Allcott and Franches nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Gianoula Franches; and her sisters, Bessie Kulias, Virginia Franches, Helen Douvris, Tula Costa, Mary Cotsifas, and Tessie Cox.
A visitation for friends and family will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 PM at the Tooele City Cemetery, 361 South 100 East, Tooele. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to the Ronald McDonald House, 935 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 or at www.rmhslc.org.