Sr. Mary Veronica (Cecilia) Sokolosky died peacefully at St. Joseph Monastery on July 25, 2020. She was born November 16, 1928 in Yukon, OK to Josephine (Botch) Sokolosky and George P. Sokolosky, was baptized at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church and raised on the family farm in Yukon. She was already a teacher when she entered the Benedictine Sisters at St. Joseph Monastery in Guthrie on September 1, 1954 and professed her vows on June 30, 1956. She received a B.A. in English and Latin from Benedictine Heights College in Guthrie, OK in 1957. She earned Master's Degree in Counseling from Western State College in Gunnison, CO in 1976.
Sr. Veronica was an excellent teacher of English and Latin at schools in Guthrie, McAlester, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. In 1978 she moved to Shawnee, OK to serve as an English professor at St. Gregory's College and remained there in various positions until June 2008 when she returned home to the Tulsa. She spent many summers teaching Vacation Bible Schools in small parishes in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.
In her Benedictine community, Sr. Veronica was recognized not only as a wonderful teacher, but also as a trusted advisor. She served over 27 years as a member of the Monastic Council advising three separate prioresses. Sr. Veronica was the monastery treasurer for eight years and served at a Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for Renewal for the Federation of St. Scholastica. She was an avid reader, a wonderful cook and always ready to plan a celebration.
Sr. Veronica was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, George Sokolosky, Robert Sokolosky, Gene Sokolosky, and Frank Sokolosky and her sisters Mary Lois Sokolosky and Margaret Churchman and her great nephew Jadon Conger. She is survived by her Benedictine community and her sister, Ruth Acre, and several nieces and nephews. The Benedictine Sisters are grateful for the loving care Sr. Veronica received from the monastery health care staff. Donations in her memory be made to the monastery health care center. A vigil service for Sr. Veronica will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday July 27, 2020 at Marian Chapel at St. Joseph Monastery.