Phyllis J. Sodaro

Phyllis J. Sodaro nee Hansen.

Beloved wife of the late Vincent C. Sodaro, Sr.

Loving mother of Deborah (Doug) Freerksen, Vincent (Carol) Sodaro, Jr., Scott (Mary) Sodaro, Randy Sodaro &  Charles Sodaro.

Cherished grandmother of Spring, Danielle, Nicholas, Ryan, Tyler, Kaitlyn & Anna.

Proud great grandmother of many.

Dear sister of Carolyn “Ann” (John) Cabay, & the late Betty Wheeler, Earl Dean Hansen & Alfred Hansen.

Fond aunt of many nieces & nephews.

Private Entombment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Phyllis Sodaro passed away peacefully on April 2 at the age of 87.  A child of the great depression, she was born in Chicago and spent her early years there.  While still a child, her family moved to Oak Lawn, Illinois where she then spent the rest of her life.  She led a quiet suburban life married to an Oak Lawn police officer, all while tolerating his ever-changing schedule rotation and raising 5 kids who all adored her.  Far from a typical housewife of the 1950’s and 1960’s, she was a superhero in disguise with motherhood being her greatest superpower.  She rocked that like nobody’s business, taking her kids to museums, zoos, bowling, sledding, ice skating, movies at the Coral Theater and Starlight drive-in, summer days at Rainbow Beach, picnics at the forest preserves and Oak Lawn Lake, and lazy Sunday afternoons at the grandparents’ homes.  She made Christmas as special as any mother ever could.  Her tolerance of every pet imaginable was legendary including dogs, cats, snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, ducks, baby birds, ferrets, and even a raccoon.  

Her second superpower was kindness, a power she used on absolutely everyone she came into contact with.  If you knew her, you loved her.  She could make anyone feel special.  

Phyllis was also a dedicated lover of the Chicago Cubs, had an insatiable appetite for mystery novels, trips to Las Vegas and Hawaii, loved to bake, play cards, bingo and board games, knit, lounge on the couch and watch TV, spend time with her grandchildren, and all things Oak Lawn. 

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Be home by dark, Mom.  We’ll wait up for you.