Sister Euphemia Kopa

SISTER EUPHEMIA KOPA ENTERS INTO ETERNAL LIFE

Very early on Holy Saturday morning, Sister Euphemia fell asleep in the Lord and was welcomed into her new home in the heavenly Kingdom. She was 98 years of age and in the 80th year of her life as a Sister of St. Basil.  

Sister Euphemia was born on July 1, 1927, in Penowa, PA, the daughter of George and Mary (Luczanich) Kopa. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil on January 9, 1946, and made her perpetual vows on August 28, 1953. 

From grades kindergarten to grade 2, her talents as a teacher at these levels shone brightly. Most likely, Sister Euphemia best loved ministry was in preparing her students for the Mysteries of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Likewise, many former students can remember her with fondness as their second-grade teacher. 

After 52 years of teaching, Sister retired from this ministry and returned to the monastery in Uniontown. There she assisted in baking and in the Vestment department. She will be most remembered, however, for her efficient preparation and execution of all details involved in the Medovniki project. Keeping on track of everything was the hallmark of her work. She brought the same enthusiasm to this project as she did to her teaching career. 

Her teaching career took her to Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Often, she was also principal as well as teacher in these schools. In Uniontown at the monastery and prior to her exceptional work with the Medovniki, she was the administrator of the former St. Basil’s Home for Aging Women. 

In addition to her community, Sister Euphemia is survived by her sister-in-law Eleanore Kopa, her nieces Emily Ann, Susan, Kathie, Betty, Mary Ann, Gabriella, and Angelique, and nephews Walter, William, Aaron and Christian.  

She wanted to be remembered for her deep faith, her spirit of trust, for her vocation and for living out her life as a Sister of St. Basil. 

Relatives and friends will be received at the Monastery on Thursday, April 9, from 3:30 pm to the time of the Parastas Service which will be sung at 6:30 pm. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, April 10 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in the Dormition Section of Mount Macrina Cemetery.

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