Sophia Martha "Sophie" Padgett (Maldazys)

Sophia Martha Padgett died on her birthday, April 27th, with her daughter by her side after a
long illness. Sophia was born in 1923 in LaPorte Indiana to Albin and Emilia Maldazys, Polish
immigrants. She often enjoyed talking of times in her childhood when she lived on a farm
owned by her father and uncle during the depression.
Sophia worked at Bendix Corporation during WWII as many young women did. It was in South
Bend Indiana where she met her husband, Howard Padgett, who preceded her in death on July
19th 1995. They finally settled in Niles Michigan where Sophia was a foreman at Niles
Precision Company until she retired. Sophia joined her only daughter in Idaho in 2005. She
made many new friends here and she especially enjoyed lunching and playing bingo with them
at the Senior Connection in Hailey
She was also preceded by a sister, Stella Million Bennett of Niles MI and brother, John
Maldazys of LaPorte IN. Sophia is survived by her daughter Leisa (Kenneth) Brait of Ketchum,
niece Roberta (Ben) Ziolkowski of South Bend IN, nephews Larry Million and Ron (Barbara)
Satkoski of Niles MI, nephew, John (Marie) Maldazys of Edmonds WA and niece, Marcia
Thomas of Huntsville AL. Sophia’s ashes will be joined with her husband’s in Indiana.
The family would like to thank the staff at Lincoln County Care Center for the wonderful care
they gave to Sophia. And, Sophia would be thrilled to have a donation made in her name to
The Senior Connection, especially at this time of need.