SOKOL, Lydia

SOKOL, Lydia Kratina, artist and teacher, died peacefully at home on July 6, 2010, at age 103, surrounded by three generations of her loving family. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on June 26, 1907, Lydia was the daughter of Czech sculptor Josef Kratina and artist Rose Kratina. Raised in New York, she traveled on scholarship to Czechoslovakia where she studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. There she met well-known Czechoslovak artist Koloman Sokol (1902-2003), whom she married in Paris in 1933. The couple lived in Mexico City from 1937 to 1941, where Koloman, by invitation of the Mexican government, helped establish a school of graphic arts, while Lydia studied and taught printmaking and bookbinding. The couple then returned to New York, where their son, George, was born in 1942. After World War II, Lydia and family spent two years in Czechoslovakia before returning to the United States in 1948. Lydia taught art for one year in Pasadena, CA, before settling in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, where she became the Shipley School's beloved art teacher for 25 years. Both Lydia and Koloman lived beyond their 100th birthdays, attributing their longevity to playing tennis well into old age. In 1995, they moved to Tucson, AZ, where they lived with their son and extended family. A lovely and loving lady, Lydia blessed us all with her creativity, her joyful spirit, and her love of life, and we are grateful for our many years with her. Lydia was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Koloman. She is survived by her son, George (Chrissy); grandchildren, David (Sheila), Jenka (Ben), and Nik (Aruna); great-grandchildren, Christina, Katia, Isabella, Annika and Suriyan; nieces, Suzin Kratina-Hathaway (Michael) and Karen Kratina; many grandnieces and grandnephews, including Tucsonan Virginia Maier (husband John and daughter Serina); and loving caregiver, Sally Blentlinger. A private Memorial Service is planned. Published in the Tucson Newspapers on July 11, 2010