Sophia Gignac

Sophia Bonnell Ruocco Gignac, 90, of Danville, died Tuesday evening after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Sophia died in her home with family members by her side.

Sophia was born September 27, 1932, in Grahamsville, N.Y., the daughter of Ross and Lula Turner Bonnell.
On November 22, 1951, Sophia married Anthony Ruocco of Corning, N.Y. Tony and Sophia moved to Danville in 1965 with the opening of Corning Glass in Danville. The couple settled on Rambler Drive where they lived for the next 55 years until Tony’s death on April 24, 2007. Sophia’s life in Danville became centered on her
family, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Sacred Heart School, where she worked as the school secretary.

Sophia’s seven children survive her death. Raymond (Bobbie) of High Point, N.C., Ronnie (Peggy) of Rock Hill, S.C., Robert of Charlotte, N.C., Mary Beth (Dave) Frasure of Wilson, N.C., Rosanne (Eddy) Lloyd of Danville, Neil (Terrie) of Katy, Texas, and Laurie (Brent) Fuller of Charlotte, N.C.
Sophia was a loving grandmother to 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

On September 05, 2009, Sophia married Roy Gignac. Despite illnesses, the couple enjoyed several good years together prior to Sophia’s death. From this union, Sophia became the stepmother to nine children and step grandmother to 24 and step great grandmother to 19.

Sophia was the last remaining sibling of her family. She was preceded in death by brothers Stewart, Frank and Ross and sisters Marguerite, Marion, Edna, Lucy and Millie.

Visitation will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday preceded by a Rosary service at 5 p.m. There will be a funeral mass Saturday morning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church beginning at 10:45 a.m., directed by Father Anthony Senyah. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memory Wall at www.townesfuneralhome.com The Gignac family has entrusted arrangements to Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main St., Danville, VA, 434-793-1211.