Marie Sodders

Marie Vigorito Sodders was born in Maspeth Queens on June 1, 1929, to Michael and Madeline (Buonaiuto) Vigorito, the seventh of nine children. When Marie was six months old, she contracted infantile paralysis which left her with a pronounced limp, but she did not let that stop her. She grew up in North Bellmore, attended Hempstead High School, and played on their softball and field hockey teams. Marie enjoyed dancing, and loved going to the USO dances with her friends.

On December 9, 1952, Marie married Robert Dale Sodders of Chandler, Indiana, whom she met at a USO dance. They moved to Rantoul, Illinois, as Robert was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. They had twin sons, Michael and Patrick, then returned to New York to a home in Centereach. Two more children, Robert and Pamela, joined the family.

Though some people might have thought that her petite stature and disability would hold Marie back, she overcame her challenges. In 1963, Marie was encouraged by her friend Ginny Ringeisen to learn how to drive a bus for a living. Marie began driving school buses then in 1974, switched to working for SUNY Stony Brook (until retirement in 1995), where she was the first woman bus driver. Marie drove a diesel-powered bus that is much longer than a regular school bus. Aside from working and raising four children, Marie played softball for the Town of Brookhaven’s women’s league (1960) and was an avid bowler with her co-workers from Stony Brook. In retirement, Marie was part of the Centereach Homemaker’s Club and the Lake Grove Homemaker’s Club where she travelled around the United States with the groups. She enjoyed many trips to visit relatives near and far, going to Disneyworld with grandchildren, and Italy with her sister Lillian and brother-in-law Kenny. Her backyard was frequently the location of family get-togethers, and her card-playing skills were legendary.

Marie passed away on December 17, 2020 at age 91 ½. She was predeceased by her sons Robert (2018) and Michael (2019) and great-grandson Ronan (2018). She is survived by her son Patrick and her daughter Pamela. Marie leaves behind her daughters-in-law Bernadette and Laura and son-in-law Joseph. As well as ten grandchildren (William, Christine(Robert), Brian(Tierney), Steven (Jules), Vincent (Emily), Sean, Sabrina, Thomas (Lindsey), Matthew and Gianna), fourteen great-grandchildren (Rachel, Elice, Holden, Nyla, Robert, Lani, James, Jimmy, Teagan, Evelyn, Hannah, Bronx, and Cash) and many nieces and nephews who loved her so very much. She has left her family and friends with wonderful stories that will be passed on.

Services will be on Saturday, June 5th at Middle Island United Church of Christ in Middle Island and will be interned at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.