Mary Kaye Koperdak

Mary Kaye Koperdak, 53, a former Lorain City Schools teacher, died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, after a lengthy illness. After undergoing brain surgery, Ms. Koperdak spent years as a volunteer visiting cancer patients to encourage and lift their spirits, said her sister, Michelle Bottenhorn. "She faced her own illness with strength and grace," Mrs. Bottenhorn said. "The goodness in her heart never weakened even as her own abilities did in recent years." Ms. Koperdak was born on June 3, 1954 in Lorain and graduated from Admiral King High School in 1972. She earned her teaching degree from Bowling Green State University in 1976. After college, she worked at Murray Ridge Adult Workshop in Elyria teaching mentally retarded adults life skills. She then was hired by Lorain City Schools and taught at Longfellow Elementary School for several years. She was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society Respite Care; Lorain County Right to Life and Birthright. She is survived by her parents, Edward and Dorothy (nee Januszewski) Koperdak of Lorain; her sisters, Michelle Bottenhorn of Cincinnati , Carolyn Starks of Crystal Lake, IL and Kathleen Koperdak of Lorain; a brother, Tim Koperdak of Amherst; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Thursday, November 29, 3007 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dombrowski-Humphrey-Riddle Funeral Home, 1939 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. A rosary service will be conducted at 3:00 pm. Closing prayers will be said at the funeral home on Friday at 9:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain. Father Chuck Henkle, O.F.M., Conv., associate pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 43099 North Ridge Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035.