Marie Kopitar

Marie Bernadette Kopitar of Crystal Lake, IL, age 84, passed away peacefully at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington, IL after a courageous battle against cancer. She was surrounded in love by her family.

Marie was born in Villa Park, IL, and attended St. Mel’s Catholic Grammar School and Providence Catholic High School in Chicago. She met Bernard Kopitar at the church dances; they married in 1950 and settled in Arlington Heights, IL in 1956 where they spent many happy years raising their daughters. In 1983 they built a home in Woodstock before finally settling in Crystal Lake in 1988. They enjoyed numerous vacations together in their lifetime, but their true joy continued with their time on the dance floor.

Marie’s hobbies and pastime activities included crafting, gardening, and exercising at HealthBridge Fitness Center, where she had many long-time friends. She was kind and compassionate to her many pets throughout her life. Marie was a devoted parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and a loyal volunteer at Little Christopher’s Resale Shop until very recently.

Marie was adored by her children and grandchildren, and her love for them was immeasurable. She often emphasized and practiced the importance of Faith and Family until the very end. Marie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bernard Kopitar; daughters, Julie (Martin) Tampa, and Madelyn (Tim) Wild; and grandchildren Gregory, Anthony, Rachel (Nick), Emily, and Jenny.
She was preceded in death by her parents Viridiana and Angelo Passarella, and her sister Corinne.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), in Crystal Lake. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176) in Crystal Lake, followed by burial in Nunda Township Holcombville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marie’s name may be made to JourneyCare Foundation, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington IL 60010, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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