Laurie Anne Sicko-Szoke, 59, of Kennett Square, died Saturday, Dec. 24 at Pembrooke Health & Rehabilitation Center in West Chester after a battle with renal failure and multiple myeloma.
Born in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., and raised in Niskayuna, N.Y., she was the beloved daughter of the late John and the late Laura (Eycleshimer) Sicko, and step daughter of the late Suzanne (Randals) Sicko.
Laurie graduated from the State University of New York Oneonta and went on to work at the Wolfeboro School System in New Hampshire as a teacher. Laurie then worked as the director of Outreach Programs for the Silver Bay YMCA located in the Adirondack Mountains for many years and never lost her love for the area. She was beloved by her employees as a gentle yet firm leader.
She served as an Extension Educator with Penn State Extension Chester County since Oct. 21, 1985 and made a difference in many lives throughout Chester County. During her career, Laurie worked with volunteers, leaders in business and industry and interagency networks to secure a funding base that has raised significant financial resources to expand 4-H programs for under-served and under-represented youth in Chester County. Her passion was seen in the CommUnity Outreach Programs such as Cosecha and 4-H Creating Community Networks where nonprofit organizations collaborated and delivered mobile education to underserved communities. In 2000, she funded a trip to expand 4-H Creative Music initiative in rural communities in Almoloya de Alquisiras, Mexico.
Laurie was a recipient of many awards and recognitions, among those she received The Lifetime Achievement Award as “The Hometown Hero” in 2015. Laurie’s kindness and positive energy touched many lives. Becoming a mentor and inspiration to many. Her love of all animals was well known and she treated all of her animals as if they were her children. She was an advocate for holistic healing and taught yoga and fitness classes.
Pre-deceased by her life partner Juan Avila in 2007, she is survived by Juan’s son, Anawim and Allegra Avila and their children, Ava, Ora, Camellia and Vera; her spirit daughters, Maria Navarrete-Olvera and Elizabeth Garduno; her sister, Stephanie O’Neil and her husband Brian, their children, Liam, Madeleine, Maeve and Genevieve; one brother, John Sicko; a step brother, Will Randals and his wife Mercedes; a step sister, Margaret Kotes and her husband John and their children, Emma, Julia, and Molly; and her cousin Joy Plumme.
You are invited to a celebration of life with Laurie’s family and friends. Beginning with a 10 a.m. ceremony followed by a gathering of friends 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Kennett Friends Meeting, 125 W. Sickle Street (& Rt. 82/Union St), Kennett Square PA 19348. Interment will be held privately.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Arrangements are by Kuzo & Greico Funeral Home Inc (610-444-4116) of Kennett Square.
To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family please visit www.griecocares.com
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