Sophia E. Assura long-time resident of Hanover, NH passed away peacefully at the age of 90 at Genesis in Lebanon on August 23, 2012 surrounded by family and her favorite dog, Maggie.

Sophia was born on November 16, 1921 in Aizpute, Latvia to Helen and Paul Bumbiers. In 1947 she married Dr. Andrew Assur who became the long-time Chief Scientist at CRREL. Sophia's life was interrupted on many occasions as she fled invading armies during World War II. She attended medical school in Latvia and Germany.

Sophia has been an ardent supporter of social justice for all people both locally, nationally and world-wide both in word and in deed. She often stated that her life experiences influenced her work and teaching about social justice.

During the Vietnam War she virtually single-handedly organized a drive to collect and ship much needed supplies, and even toys, to the Maltese Hospital in Vietnam. She was very involved in the Cambodian Refugee Committee and instrumental in making Cambodian refugees feel welcome in the Upper Valley.

Sophia was passionate in her support of and had a gift of encouraging and moving others, including students, to get involved personally, to advocate for, to support financially and even to help establish (in some cases), a wide range of organizations (local, national and world-wide) that support social justice and help to improve people's lives in many dimensions. She did this with organizations such as ELCA World Hunger (Lutheran), Bread for the World, the Haven, Good Neighbor Clinic, Headrest, Upper Valley Coalition Against Homelessness, Upper Valley Hostel (founding member), NAMI and many others. Most recently, on the regional level, she supported the development of the United Valley Interfaith Project (UVIP). Always ecumenical in her perspective and participation, she sought to bring together people of various faith traditions into social justice endeavors.

In the 1980's Sophia was deeply involved in efforts of the Lutheran Church to seek to envision the future and to establish a Christian commitment to social justice in all aspects of its mission and ministry within the US and world-wide. She was on the National Board that spearheaded this effort. Sophia was a key speaker at several national and New England regional conferences, as well as other events involved in this effort.

Often referred to as a "lay theologian" Sophia pursued continuing, in-depth, academically geared self study of theology across faith traditions, was an ardent student of Scripture, and pursued an intense series of theological courses offered by the Episcopal Church. For many years she was the Teacher of the Adult Bible Study at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Hanover, as well as a book study and discussion leader. She also spoke, led Bible studies and discussions in ecumenical contexts.

Beyond her study of medicine, Sophia's academic interests and self education were extremely broad, ranging from science to politics. She had a special gift of conveying her excitement for ideas and articulating those ideas to others, encouraging their own continuing journey of self education. She also loved nature and gardening was another passion.

Sophia will always be loved and missed by her family and those whose lives she touched.
She is survived by her daughters: Agnia. Irina, Ellen, Julia, and a grandson: Alexander.
Her husband, Andrew, predeceased her in 1991.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 11:00 AM immediately followed by a reception at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5 Summer Street in Hanover. Burial will follow at Pine Knolls Cemetery, S. Main Street in Hanover. All are invited to attend all events. Rand-Wilson is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to

ELCA World Hunger
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694

or

UVIP
C/O St. Paul's Episcopal Church
749 Hartford Ave.
White River Jct., VT 05001