Harriet Lucinda Kopfle

Harriet Lucinda Cummings Kopfle passed away peacefully on October 31, 2017 at Brighton Gardens in Charlotte. She was born on June 1, 1921 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Albert Cummings and Sarah Ann Davis Cummings. Harriet had a great joy for life and she loved God, her family, friends, animals, and gatherings of any kind. She loved being a wife and mother and lived her life in service of others.

Harriet was predeceased by her beloved husband of 49 years, Joseph Thomas Kopfle; and her sisters Helen Shafer and Barbara Long of Michigan. She is survived by her son John and wife Nancy Kopfle of Charlotte; grandson Patrick and wife Marissa Kopfle of Richmond, Virginia; grandson Eric Kopfle of Madison, Wisconsin; granddaughter Katherine Kopfle of Charlotte; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

Harriet met Joe while working at Eberhard’s Grocery Store in Grand Rapids and they were married in 1949 at St. Brendan Catholic Church in Elkins, West Virginia. They moved to Springfield, Virginia in the early 1950s where Joe worked for the Army at Fort Belvoir. In addition to being a homemaker, Harriet enjoyed working part time at the Pet Center. In 1981, she and Joe retired to Lincolnton, NC. They loved growing vegetables and raising animals including dogs, cats, goats, and a burro.

After Joe’s death in 1998, Harriet continued living in the house until 2016, when she moved to Brighton Gardens in Charlotte, near John and Nancy’s house.

Harriet and Joe were very active in their local parishes, including St. Bernadette in Springfield, where they were founding members, and St. Dorothy in Lincolnton.

The family thanks all those whose friendship Harriet enjoyed over the years and who offered prayers during her last days with us, especially Marian Clark and Edd and Joyce Ziolkowski. Thanks also to the wonderful caregivers at Brighton Gardens and Hospice of Charlotte.

Visitation and a vigil service will be held on Tuesday, November 7 from 6-9 PM at McEwen Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. The funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, November 8 at 10:30 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Charlotte. Interment of the ashes in the parish columbarium will be held immediately following the Mass and following that a reception will be held in the parish activity center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Ministry of Lincoln County, NC or to Hospice of Charlotte.