on June 13, 2021.
Since 1984 she resided in Beverly Hills, FL, where she had moved from New Castle, PA,
with her adoring husband, Edmund “Eddie” Kopka. He died in 1995 at the age of 71.
She was born on October 18, 1923, in Pittsburgh, PA. She grew up in New Castle with her
younger sister, three older half brothers and loving parents, who had immigrated from Poland.
Their family life was centered on the church and their ethnic culture, which were both greatly
influenced by American democracy.
She excelled in school and in a secretarial and bookkeeping career, but her passion was to
share her bilingual talent through performing arts. Her singing particularly had blossomed in the
church, school and community. Her rich voice attained an operatic style and she learned to play
the piano, then the organ. She was an organist and choir leader in parishes throughout her life.
She transitioned from a solo talent to an indomitable duet when she married in 1949.
“Verna and Eddie” did everything together. Even when one was called to carry out an individual
role, the other was always there in full support. Their motto was, “Leave everything better than
you found it.” Throughout their marriage they were gregarious and worked tirelessly in
numerous capacities on local, regional and national levels of the Polish National Catholic Church
and its fraternal/financial organization, the Polish National Union of America.
In both of those realms she was called upon to lead countless projects, groups, committees
and conventions or was sent across states to give speeches. From the 50s to the 90s she proved
to be what we now know is a 21st century woman. She also served as president for women’s
organizations in Western PA and nationally for the PNC Church.
Her greatest love and abilities shined as a daughter, mother and grandmother, especially as a
selfless caregiver to loved ones who were gravely ill. It was tragic how dementia robbed her of
so much the last 10 years. However, her life example will always remain to inspire her surviving
family.
They are her son, Anthony D. Kopka of Beverly Hills, FL, retiring Executive Director of
Daystar Life Center; daughter and her full-time caregiver the past three years, Wanda A. Copple,
retired teacher of 40 years, mostly in Citrus County middle and elementary schools, and her
husband, Donald, of Citrus Springs, FL; grandchildren Kristen (Kopka) and her husband Sean
Owens of Orange, CT; Stephanie (Copple) and her husband Steve Cox of Orlando, FL; Lauren
(Kopka) and her husband Jason Nado of Westport, CT; and Michelle Copple of Orlando, FL;
great grandchildren Conner and Cooper Owens, Brielle Cox and Jaxon Nado.
A memorial service and burial will be held privately at the Fero Funeral Home and Memorial
Gardens Cemetery in Beverly Hills, FL. All expressions of sympathy have been greatly
appreciated by the family. In memory of their mom and “Babci” and their love for her, they only
ask that members of other families hold one another close with the same love.
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