Sophia Yueh Chu Farina, 85, of Evans, Georgia, and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and formerly Ledyard, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on November 23, 1939, in Tainan, Taiwan, Sophia led a life filled with love, wisdom, and compassion. As a young Navy wife, she bravely emigrated to the United States in 1963, leaving behind her homeland to start a new life filled with hope and opportunity. With grace and determination, she built a loving home, embraced new traditions, and created a strong foundation for her family. The family settled down in Ledyard, Connecticut, in 1975, and she quickly became an integral part of her community, known for her kindness, warmth, and dedication to those around her.
Sophia was a devoted homemaker who dedicated her life to caring for her family, always putting others before herself. Cooking for family and friends was Sophia’s love language — she delighted in preparing authentic Chinese and Italian dishes for those she loved, and if you were especially lucky, she would teach you how to make them. She was the manager for the Ledyard Bake Shoppe and later worked as a cashier at Foxwoods Casino, where she built meaningful relationships with both coworkers and customers. Whether at home or at work, her gentle nature and strong work ethic made her beloved by all who knew her.
Sophia found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, sharing stories, and, of course, beating them at cards — a memory her grandkids will always cherish. She also formed close bonds with the wonderful friends she made at the Columbia County Senior Center, where she looked forward to their smiling faces, the laughter they shared, and especially her regular bingo games. Her vibrant spirit and playful heart left a lasting impact on all who knew her.
Sophia was known for her love of adventure and fun excursions. Whether it was a bus trip to Pearl River Casino or a delightful lunch at Cracker Barrel with friends, she embraced every opportunity to enjoy life and create new memories.
A lover of animals, Sophia also enjoyed taking scenic drives through the New England countryside, where she could marvel at the native wildlife and the beauty of nature. These peaceful moments were a source of joy for her, and she cherished the serenity they brought.
Sophia was predeceased by her beloved husband of 50 years, Antonio Farina, and her oldest son, Anthony Farina. She is survived by her loving children: Katherine (Claudio) Carrasco of Evans, GA; Thomas (Maureen) Farina of Pittsford, NY; and Paula Farina of Portsmouth, RI; her grandchildren: Anthony (Koleigh) Farina, Jr., Merideth (Cass) Farina, Nicholas Carrasco, Daniel (Jeri) Carrasco, Thomas Farina, Jr., Michael Farina, Alec (Cody) Lee, Connor Kurz, and Anna Kurz; her great-grandchildren: Anthony Farina, III, and Vivianne Farina; her older sister, Yueh Ying Yueh; her younger sister, Karen Yueh Lan Wellborn; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St, Mystic, CT 06355, followed by a graveside service at 1:30 PM at Elm Grove Cemetery at 197 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Sophia, at
https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8802400&fr_id=154020&pg=personal.
Sophia will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love, compassion, and kindness will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.