The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Beloved former teacher turning 100
MIDDLEFIELD >> Sophie Pacholski Scarlato, who turned 100 on Wednesday, was born in 1917 on Hubbard Street in Middletown to Matthew and Mary Pacholski.
She was the sixth child of a family of 12 children: nine boys and three girls. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School on South Main Street in Middletown for her first eight years of education.
In 1931, at 14, she left school and moved to Hartford to work. After several years of employment, she met and married Frank Scarlato in 1934.
These were the Depression years and living was not easy — no telephones, no television and sometimes no work.
They had three children: a daughter Bernadette, and two boys, Raymond James (Jimmy) and John Philip (Jacky).
After World War II, they moved back to Middletown and lived on Berlin Street until 1954. When Bernadette finished high school, they bought a house in Middlefield. Jimmy and Jacky went to elementary school in Middlefield.
When Jack went off to college, Sophie was left with an empty nest on Valley View Drive.
At that point, at the age of 47, she decided to get her high school GED and then went on to Central Connecticut State University to earn a bachelor of arts degree and teaching certification.
In 1965, she began her new career teaching elementary grades at Central School, completing her master’s degree while teaching during the next few years.
She retired from Middlefield Middle School in 1983.
Sophie taught several levels at the elementary school, but fifth grade was her favorite. She has lots of former students who remember her to this day.
These days, it is difficult to go anywhere around Middlefield without the exuberant call: “Hi, Mrs. Scarlato! Remember me? I was in your fifth-grade class.” And Sophie seems to remember all of them. Sometimes the reply is, “Oh, yes, and your father, too.”
Sophie Scarlato was a loving wife and mother, a dedicated teacher and now a very special centenarian. Few people are privileged to live such a long and productive life, touching so many lives in such a positive way.
To celebrate Sophie’s 100th birthday, her family is asking former students and neighbors to send birthday cards and wishes or to share stories of how Sophie touched their lives to: Middlefield Senior Center director, 405 Main St., Suite 5, Middlefield CT 06455.