Born on March 27, 1935, she began her life living on Long Island in Mineola, New York with her parents Michael Kopp and Florence Pallay Kopp and three siblings Florence, Michael and Carol. She spent her childhood caring for and riding horses near a potato farm by her home and developed a lifelong bond with her beloved grandmother and hero, Teresa Pallay.
In the summer of 1952, Emily married Melvin Ward Fate, a midshipman at Kings point. They moved to Grove City, Ohio and raised 3 daughters, Linda, Cheryl and Barbara. In 1970 the family moved to Monroe, Connecticut for 2.5 beautiful years, raising puppies, sledding down hills and exploring New England. The family then moved for a new career opportunity to Matawan, New Jersey which became her last home until her husband, Melvin Ward suddenly passed away in 1980 and changed her life forever.
Soon thereafter, Emily became a grandmother, with the birth of her granddaughters Nicole and Christina from her daughter Cheryl, and began living near the ocean in Atlantic Highlands at the Jersey shore. By the late 1980’s she moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico to explore the south-west. She eventually returned to New Jersey, but after the birth of her third granddaughter, Melina, from her daughter Barbara, she decided to move to Woodland, California to help raise and enjoy the baby. Over the course of the next 20 years, Grandma Emily developed the same loving bond with Melina as Emily’s Grandma Pallay had done for her—a gift to last a lifetime.
In addition to family life, Emily worked hard and excelled in her professional life as well. She began working at her children’s schools and volunteered many hours in the community. She eventually moved onto banking, starting as a bank teller then being promoted to Branch manager and finally Regional Vice president of several Banks in New Jersey. Her banking career gave her great prestige and leadership in the community.
Integral to her family life and how she had developed as a person was Emily’s deep religious calling. Raised a Catholic, she devoted her life to God, supporting and caring for every parish she attended, acting both as Church Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister. She also led many church prayer groups, organized many “Walk for Life” events, and attended many pilgrimages in Medjugorje, Bosnia with fellow parishioners of Holy Rosary Church of Woodland, CA.
Emily loved to travel the United States, Central America and Europe, visiting beautiful places that enriched her life. She enjoyed camping and hunting for Indian arrowheads in New Jersey and New Mexico. Her keen eye for finding treasures is apparent by her extraordinary arrowhead collection. Emily was a gifted seamstress, upholsterer and painter. The homes of her family are decorated with her priceless creations.
The hallmark of her life was Emily’s loving encouragement toward people and her kindness to others. She brought a cheerful demeanor everywhere she went, with her winning smile and her ability to make people laugh. Her zest for life was infectious and her loyalty was admirable. She leaves behind many friends, and a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephew.
Emily is predeceased by her parents Michael Kopp and Florence Pallay Kopp. Her siblings Michael Kopp Jr., Florence Valentine, Carol Schlageter. Her husband Melvin Ward Fate and sons-in-law Anthony Gonzales and Jeffrey Rauscher.
She is survived by her three daughters: Linda Fate, Cheryl Rauscher and Barbara Nicholas and son-in-law Nicoli Nicholas Jr; her three granddaughters: Nicole Andersen (Tor), Christina Kinney (Justin) and Melina Ann Nicholas; and her six great grandchildren: Anya Andersen, Greta Andersen, Elsa Andersen, Elin Andersen, Savannah Kinney and Nolan Kinney—all who brought joy, laughter, and love into the final years of Emily’s long and giving life. As Mom, Grandma, and GG, Emily M. Fate will always be remembered as a true Life Giver.
