Leah Angela Socha was born Aug. 28, 1949 in Meriden, Conn. to George Kakis and Evelyn Mitchell. She attended High School in Wethersfield, Conn. then moved to Massachusetts where she met her husband Bernie. Leah lived in New England for over 25 years, moved to Chicago for a short time with her husband and son and eventually settled down in Virginia, living in Springfield, Fairfax and Burke, where she raised her growing family for over 35 years.
Leah and Bernie raised four children who now live in Burke, Denver, Colo. and Los Angeles. She had four grandchildren.
Leah met her husband Bernie at their place of work in Massachusetts. She was an avid cook, famous for her Greek dishes (including an incredible baklava) and a mouth-watering meatloaf, which is now served at Bernie's Deli in Fairfax. She passes down an extensive book of recipes to the next generation, many hand-written or with hand-written notes, to guide them through the years.
Leah was a partner with her husband in Wagshals, a Washington, D.C. institution, which was purchased from the Wagshal family in the early 90s with the Fuchs family of Burke and expanded over the years. Leah was also a partner in Bernie's Delicatessen and Market in Fairfax. Many may not know that she also worked for some time as a licensed private investigator for a Virginia law firm. She had many talents.
Leah was 100 percent Greek and has family in Greece to this day. She traveled throughout the world including Greece, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, Caribbean Islands, Mexico and the Virgin Islands. She was a league bowler for many years, frequenting Bowl America in Burke with her bowling buddies. She loved going to the beach, visiting extended family in Massachusetts, hosting Memorial Day 'Chicken Fire' barbecues for friends and family for over 15 years and spending time with her family.
Leah is survived by her husband Bernard Stanley Socha, sons Michael David and Matthew Bernard; daughters Victoria Lynn and Jennifer Michelle; four grandchildren Benjamin, Brooke, Jessica, Rachel; many loving nieces, nephews and a large extended family. Leah was a loving mother, wife, grandmother and friend to so many.
Her memorial service was on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Fairfax.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association in Leah's name to honor her life and help fund research to find a cure for interstitial lung disease and lung cancer.
Donate at www.lung.org or in honor donation at https://secure3.convio.net/ala/site/Donation2?df_id=31272&31272.donation=form1.
To send condolences to the family you may email one of the family members for more information or send to the funeral home directly. The family would also love for you to leave a comment and share your memories of Leah at http://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com/obituary/Leah-Angela-Socha/Fairfax-VA/1587999.