Katherine Copley
GWINN, MI — Katherine B. ‘Honey’ Copley, 83, of N. Pine St., Gwinn, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, September 14, 2019 at her home under the loving care of her family and Lake Superior Hospice.
Katherine was born September 8, 1936 in Ishpeming to Walter J. and Katherine R. (Arrieri) Laveau and was affectionately known as ‘Nee Nee.’ She was a graduate of Gwinn High, Class of 1954 and spent an amazing 64 years married to her high school sweetheart, Lawrence ‘Jim’ Copley. Honey worked for 30 years as a crossing guard and custodian for the Gwinn Public Schools.
Mrs. Copley was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society. She truly enjoyed all aspects of her life with her family. In her spare time, she was an avid bowler, enjoyed camping, traveling, walking in the snow with her husband, baking, and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings. Through her needlework, she made many quilts for all her grandchildren and numerous children of family friends.
Surviving are her loving husband, Jim; 11 children: Mary (Dave) Hermann of Shelton, WA, Shirley (Bill) Fountain of Gwinn, Barbara (Bruce) Copley-Gierke of Anchorage, AK, Tina (Dan) Locke of Trenary, Nancy (Gary) Nellist of Gwinn, Lawrence J. (Misi) Copley, Jr. of Gwinn, Martha (Richard) Diercks of Gwinn, Rita (Robert) Savola of Gwinn, Theresa (Jeffrey) Andrews of Negaunee, David (Patti) Copley of Manitowoc, WI and Kathy (Michael) Williams of Kincheloe; 30 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; a brother, Walter (Helen) Laveau; step-sisters, Diane Dolinar and Joanne Van Dijk; sisters-in-law: Elaine Roos, Marilyn Ryan, Carol (Errol) Steen and Patricia (Arthur) Cheslog; brothers-in-law: Bob (Paula), Dick (Tanya) and Earl (Gila) Copley; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Eileen Laveau; two grandchildren, Brooke Fountain and Mathew Gierke; father & mother-in-law, Lawrence and Martha Copley; and a brother-in-law, William Copley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 20that St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gwinn, with Rev. Allen Mott officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass at 11:00 AM in the Baraga Room at St. Anthony on Friday, and also at a luncheon in the church fellowship hall immediately following services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Katherine’s memory to Lake Superior Hospice.
Katherine’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.