Matushka Sophia (Sophie) Ann Kanzius Daniels, 84, fell asleep in the Lord on March 29, 2025.
Born in Washington, PA on November 25, 1940, Sophie was the second of five children born to Silvester J. Kanzius and Katherine Orenchuk Kanzius – both of which were first generation Americans, having parents of Slovenian and Ukrainian heritage.
A graduate of Trinity High School in Washington, PA, she was working as a legal secretary, when she married Lawrence Daniels. She is survived by daughter, Rebecca Sexton (Michael), son, John Daniels (Julie) two grandchildren, Nicholas and Katherine Daniels. She is also survived by her sister, Marie Guidos-Maruskin (late husband Al), brother, Joseph Kanzius (Anne Louise), and sister, Jane Shamitko (Gregory). Deceased are her Mother Katherine, Father Silvester, and brother, John Kanzius (Mary Ann). And many nieces and nephews.
Her name means “wisdom” and she had it. Her life speaks of her journey accompanying her husband, Father Lawrence. One in which they followed the path to the true God. She was the first woman to earn a Certificate of Studies in Orthodox Theology from the Late Vocations Program in the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and West Virginia (1985). She wrote and lectured extensively, including serving as a Lenten retreat leader at Christ the Savior Seminary in Johnstown, PA for 14 years. She guided and inspired her husband, nurturing his progress into becoming a Deacon in the Orthodox (Christian) Church followed by his late life ordination as an Orthodox Priest. Her insights into human nature and spirituality were celebrated by all who knew her. Some of these insights are written in her as-yet-unpublished book, “The Woman Continues her Way,” notes from her journals and her many lectures on Orthodoxy.
Sophie led a life of deliberately choosing less yet feeling blessed with a life brimming with abundance. She always pushed herself to do more, to help more, to love more. Wired for ambition, she described herself as having to be aggressively submissive – to what she felt was God’s will and her vocation. She was a legal secretary, and her wit and intellect were such that she could have easily gone on to a successful career as an attorney. Yet she chose something simpler. For more than thirty years she ran a day-care, primarily for children who were economically disadvantaged, out of her home. Her intellect was not idle, however, as she was a supreme autodidact, reading widely and deeply. She knew something about everything. She was a boundless source of love for hundreds of children, providing wisdom and guidance to them and their parents.
Her generosity was endless. She insisted on negotiating “backwards” with contractors and handymen, all of which left her house with fresh baked bread, French baguettes to be specific. Plumbers argued over who would get to respond to her service calls. She was constantly cooking and baking, seeing that as part of her ministry to nurture and love all who visited her. She went to great lengths to ensure her meals were perfectly prepared, presented, and enjoyed. She routinely listened to others as they shared their challenges, endeavoring to meet them where they were and to renew their faith. Her faith was fierce, and she passionately shared her unwavering belief that what the Bible says is true, and that such truth proves itself experientially in our lives. She often said that our faith can be strengthened by holding something physical. To that end she frequently gave little icons of Jesus and his Mother to those to whom she thought would benefit from the gift. These included bank tellers, checkout clerks, hospital doctors, nurses, staff. We estimate more than 1,000 icons have been distributed.
Sophie had a huge heart for those who were struggling and suffering. Throughout her life she prayed, by name, for virtually everyone with whom she came in contact. Thousands of names and families have been prayed for. Sometimes in her house, sometimes in her prayer shed, and always with a conviction that such prayer made a difference in their lives and hers.
She will be remembered for her wisdom, her creativity, her passion, her love, and above all, her faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his revelation through the Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Church.
Funeral services for Matushka Sophia is as follows:
Wednesday, April 2
St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1182 Ashland St., Greensburg, PA 15601
Visitation: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Trisagion Prayers: 7:30 PM
Thursday, April 3
Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration, 321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, PA 16117
Visitation: 11:00 AM
Funeral Service: Noon
Repast meal to follow
Special thanks to Three Rivers Hospice from the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in her memory be sent to the Theophan the Recluse Discretionary fund, care of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, 1182 Ashland Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 and/or The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, 321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, PA 16117.
May Matushka Sophia’s memory be eternal!