Rye, New York – Sophey Thain nee Lazaraton, 91, of Antioch, IL, passed away February 2, 2024 at the home of her son in Rye, New York. Sophey was born on April 17, 1932, to Kosta and Anezina Lazaraton in Chicago, IL. After Sophey graduated from Morocco High School in Lake Village, IN, she went on to meet her husband, Alan Lyman Thain, on a blind date. After a short courtship, Alan was sent to England with the military. He then proposed to Sophey, who flew over to England by herself, and they were wed on June 12, 1954.
Their eldest son, John, was born in England. They returned to the United States when John was a baby and built a house in Antioch, IL, where they went on to have two more sons, Dennis and Robert. Sophey took great pride in maintaining their Antioch home and property, cooking delicious meals, and hosting family holidays and celebrations for the next 68 years. Sophey was an avid Bears fan who held season tickets for many years. She attended home games rain, shine, snow or fog and was an animated passionate fan. She and Alan loved to travel and visited many of the world’s countries together.
They also spent many happy family vacations in Panama City Beach, FL. Sophey and Alan were also avid bridge players. For many years they played on a regular basis with other couples in their bridge club, alternating hosting duties, often winning handily. Sophey was an active woman whom you could rarely catch sitting down. She was a truly wonderful cook who was always making meals from scratch for her family as well as often donating home-cooked meals for the local shelter. She faithfully attended her sons’ many sports events and was a vocal steadfast presence.
Sophey is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary and two brothers, Ted and Dan, as well as her husband of 68 years, Alan Lyman Thain. Surviving are her three sons, John Alexander (Carmen) Thain of Rye, NY, Dennis Alan (Julianne) Thain of Royal Oak, MI, and Robert (Denise) Thain, of Caseyville, IL; grandchildren Alexander (Tracy) Thain of Pacific Palisades, CA, Nicole (Sam) McHugh of Harrison, NY, Victoria (Greg) Gioia of Los Angeles, CA, and Zachary (Karly) Thain of New York, NY, Alan (Laura) Thain of Royal Oak, MI, Max (Lisa) Thain of Northlake, TX, Rachel (Dan) Thain- Rosenthal of Arlington Heights, IL, and Jack Thain of Caseyville, IL as well as twelve great-grandchildren.
Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday February 10, 2024 in Millburn Cemetery 18550 W. Millburn Rd. Old Mill Creek, IL 60083. Arrangements were entrusted to the Strang Funeral Home of Anitoch.
