Suzanne "Suzy" Sokoloff Bomze

It is with full hearts and loving memories that we say goodbye to Suzanne “Suzy” Sokoloff Bomze—wife, mom, grandmother, sister, friend, neighbor, hostess, fashion icon, bargain hunter, real estate agent, world traveler, and legendary talker. She lived a joyful, generous life marked by curiosity, connection, and a knack for making every gathering just a little more special.

Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Suzy was smart, strong-willed, and social. She earned her degree in social work from Vassar College. She started dating Ira Bomze when she was a sophomore in high school and he a senior. They eloped in 1958—Suzy’s junior year at Vassar—tracking down Media, Pennsylvania’s “marrying magistrate” through the Yellow Pages. Their secret didn’t stay secret for long thanks to a newspaper write-up celebrating the first marriage of the new year.

Together, Suzy and Ira built a beautiful life filled with family and fun. Suzy was the “hostess with the mostest” whether she was mixing rum punch, laying out a breakfast spread, or making sure everyone had nibblies to snack on before dinner. The lake house became a legendary gathering place, where friends and family made lifelong memories together. If she wasn’t busy refilling the cooler bag with diet soda for the dock, she was on the water herself—teaching generations of kids how to water ski. If you were lucky enough to visit, you left full, loved, and possibly a bit sunburned.

She and Ira explored the U.S. and the world (5 continents), with especially memorable trips to visit family in Australia, Japan, and Ireland. She was always up for an adventure—bike trips, cross-country skiing, and boating included—as long as there were people to talk to, and something fun along the way. She poured that same energy into her many communities, as a member of Lake Norman Newcomers, Hadassah, the Golden Girls, and as a real estate agent in New York and North Carolina.

Known for her unstoppable chatter, indecision over restaurant menus, and uncanny ability to sniff out a coupon, Suzy brought sparkle to everything she touched. At home, she brought that same mix of spirit and creativity to her kids. Suzy was a Cub Scouts den mother and the mastermind behind countless arts and crafts projects—resin-dipped flowers from June Polatsek’s shop, needlepoint kits, and plaster-of-Paris molds galore. She also modeled the art of entertaining, hosting book clubs that were equally memorable for the discussion and the frozen whiskey sours in the freezer (which the kids definitely noticed).

She adored her grandchildren and took immense pride in each of them, always reminding us they were “terrific.”

Suzy is preceded in death by her husband Ira (2024), parents Stanley and Helen Sokoloff, stepmother Anita, stepsister Michelle, and brothers- and sisters-in-law Joe (Myra) Bomze and Hal Bomze.

She is survived by her children Jay (Laurie), Alan (Mika), and Howard (Laura); her grandchildren Maggie (Willian), Andrew, Serena (Tamiru), Monica (Andrew), Buddy, Eugene, and La; her sister Heloise Ruskin (Martin) and stepsister Jill Ross (David); and her sister-in-law Ellie Bomze.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the compassionate teams at Danbury Senior Living in Massillon and CorsoCare Hospice. She will be cremated and she and Ira’s ashes will be spread at Lake Norman in the future.

Memorial contributions in Suzy’s honor can be made to:

• Temple Kol Tikvah, 605 South St., Davidson, NC 28036
• CorsoCare Hospice, 8230 Pittsburg Ave NW, North Canton, OH 44720

Suzy made the world brighter with her generosity, warmth, and hospitality. And for that, we are forever grateful.