Irene E. Koper

Passed away at home on Oct. 21, 2005 at the age of 93. A resident of Lawndale for 41 years. Born on May 19, 1912 to Anna and William McCauley of Irwin, PA. Known as "Dolly" all her life, Mrs. Koper was one of seven children and remembered seeing her mother and brother Bill being cared for during the flu pandemic of 1918. Both survived. As a young woman, Dolly wanted to be a dancer and wrote to Broadway producer Flo Zeigfeld, who wrote back encouraging her. Instead, on Sept. 27, 1934 Dolly McCauley married Carl Koper, also of Irwin, PA. They were married for 65 years, until his death in 1999. The Kopers and their daughter moved to California in 1955. Mrs. Koper was a homemaker all her life and enjoyed an active social life with family and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Koper was predeceased by brothers William, Jr., LeRoy, and Bernard McCauley; and sister Pauline Macko. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Dolores and Donald Fratus of Larkspur, Marin County, CA; her sister and best friend, Veronica Sambolich of Lawndale; her brother Charles McCauley and brother-in-law Michael Koper, both of North Huntingdon, PA; as well as three generations of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Koper was a kind and loving woman who had a friendly smile for all, even as illness claimed her life. Her motto was, "Whatever will be, will be." Family and friends will gather at RICE MORTUARY, 5310 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503 on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for visitation, with Rosary recitation at the same evening at 7:15 PM. Celebration of Mass will be on Friday, Oct. 28, 2005 at 10:00 AM at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, 3846 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., in Torrance, CA. Private cremation and inurnment. Memorial contributions may be sent to: Salvation Army M.O.W. , 125 Beryl St., Redondo Beach, CA 90277. The family is indebted to Dr. John Moe of Inglewood and his staff for years of care and support; to the team of Vitas Hospice of Torrance; and especially to Elnora Oseguera, Wanda Smith and Latasha Ira, who tended Mrs. Koper during her final hours. Hello, Dolly. Goodnight, Irene. May you smile for the angels now.