Stella Ann Kopera

On October 12, 1940, Stella's life took a wonderful turn when she promised herself to the love of her life, Stanley. The two took their fateful walk down the aisle and would go on to spend their years together until Stanley's passing in 1982.

Stella was proud of the work she did toward the war effort. While in her twenties, she was hired in with Chrysler at the Plymouth Plant in October of 1944 where she worked during the latter part of the war in the Inspection Department. Her family was a Chrysler family, where else would she seek employment but Chrysler to help out the war effort. While they had a temporary layoff from Plymouth, her supervisor recommended going to the Mound Road Engine Plant since they were in need of a clerk. Stella remained on the east side until her retirement in 1981. When asked what one of her favorite memories of working for Chrysler, she said that she was treated fairly and with respect. Meeting and knowing so many friendly people who have enriched her life have made her enjoy her years working in the automotive industry.

After Stanley's death in 1982, Stella purchased a condo in Warren, with a little less responsibilities, giving her a little more time to volunteer her services and enjoy the pleasures of life. It was with good fortune that she was able to travel quite extensively to London, Paris, Warsaw, Rome, and Switzerland. She was also able to enjoy Canada, Hawaii, a Caribbean cruise, and an Alaskan cruise.  As you can see, she was a busy woman but never to busy to spend time with the ones she truly loved, her children. She raised three loving children, Lawrence, Beverly and Marianne.

Being a working mother of three, life was sometimes hectic,...but none the less, she wouldn't have traded it in for anything else. Stella still found time to dance, both as a hobby as well as for the sake of exercise while listening to pleasant melodies. She also bowled, and played cards, but attending festivals and dancing the polka were her favorite pastimes. 

As much as Stella cared for all her friends and family, there were none more special, nor precious, than her own,...especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will forever be remembered by so many for so many reasons,...and her legacy of love is the gift she leaves behind to keep her close at heart, always.

Stella was the beloved wife of the late Stanley. Dear mother of Beverly (Robert) Hoeksema, Marianne (David) Sakowsky, and the late Lawrence S. Kopera. Loving grandmother of Christine (David) England, Kimberly Sakowsky, David (Robyn) Kopera, Debbie (J.D.) Travis and Laura Kopera. Devoted great-grandmother of Joseph, James, Nicholas, Andrew, Madeline, Carly, Brooke, Halle, Kampbell, and Madison. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by siblings, John, Stanley, Charlotte Paulis, and Joseph.

Visitation for Stella will be held on Monday, September 16th from 3-9 pm, with a 7 pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren.

She will lie in state on Tuesday from 9:00 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Warren. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.

Memorial donations are welcomed to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154. 

Please share memories of Stella at her memory book below.