Geraldine Alice Kopack

Geraldine Alice Kopack, known as Gerry, passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 87 on February 8th, 2024. She has been reunited with the love of her life, her husband of 68 years, who preceded her in death just one month before. She is also preceded in death by her brother, John “Jack” Schantz, who passed on the same date six years prior. Gerry will be dearly missed as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend to many people near and far. She is survived by her caring daughter, Kimberly Kopack Opager (67) of Asheville NC; the Sister of her Heart Elanor Lemay (90) of Asheville, NC; Grandson Jason William Chicosky (46) and Granddaughter in Law April of Harvest, Alabama; and Granddaughter Mariah Opager (32) of St. Louis, Missouri; three Great-Grandchildren Hartley, Lola and William; and four step Great-Grandchildren Tyler, Lilian, Carter, and Ava all of Harvest, Alabama. 

Gerry was known for many things and found much joy and purpose in creating a home where friends and family could always feel welcome and cared for. She had a gift in her deep consideration for other people. She could remember small details and was endlessly curious about the goings on in others’ lives in a way that made them feel seen and special. She had an archive of cards, letters, emails, photos, newspaper clippings, and other memorabilia from those she loved throughout her life that illustrated the commitment she had to creating a legacy. Gerry was a true kin keeper and never met a stranger in her life. Most of all, she had beaming pride for her two great loves: Bill Kopack, of whom she endlessly sang praises when he would never do so himself; and Kimberly Opager, her “Only One,” whom she raised to be a capable woman of great integrity. Due to complications in bearing her first child, she spent her life navigating motherhood in the best way she knew how. Though she regretted she could not give her daughter any siblings, she made it her personal mission to pour into her grandchildren and great-grandchildren leaving a mark on their hearts that will never fade. Eventually, Kim took every lesson her mother taught her and admirably became her parents’ watchful caretaker and protective advocate until the very end. 

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend will be remembered forever for her genuine authenticity, her honesty, and by far, her humor. She loved to laugh and brought laughter to others, even when she didn’t intend to - and did so to the very end. She carried a deep strength and faced every problem with such composure that she could bring a sense of peace simply through a shrug and a grin. Her heart doctor even referred to her as "a force of nature." One of her favorite poems by E.H. Hamilton captures her unflappable outlook: 

“Afraid? Of what?

To feel the spirit’s glad release?

To pass from pain to perfect peace,

The strife and strain of life to cease?

Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?

Afraid to see the Saviour’s face,

To hear His welcome, and to trace,

The glory gleam from wounds of grace,

Afraid? Of that?”

Gerry was smart as a whip and we have memories of her calling for a dictionary to look something up or learn how to spell a new word. Her generous, independent, and fastidious nature gave us all something to aspire to. She loved to play card games with friends, hosting them at her home every Sunday to play Pinochle. Once she could no longer play herself, a cardplayers group at the Harvest House in Asheville was named in her honor.

Gerry showed love through her acts of service and was known far and wide for her holiday dinners, coleslaw, and signature poppy seed bundts and cheesecakes. Her kitchen was her sanctuary. She was diligent about her thank you cards and was even known to send a thank you card in response to those who sent HER thank you cards. She had a place in her heart reserved for every dog she met and asked after pets just as much as she did people. Few things brought us more joy than seeing her face light up when she had a chance to be around a dog. 

Geraldine was a devout Catholic all of her life and was a member of St. Eugene’s Catholic Church in Asheville, NC. As a friend once said of her, “Gerry made it her business to be a friend to Jesus.” The most meaningful verses she found herself drawn to were Psalms 23 and 27. A traditional Catholic service will be scheduled at a later date. In the meantime, we will host family and friends in a joint Memorial Service on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 at the Clubhouse in the Cloisters at 4 pm. We will be honoring both Geraldine and William Kopack, who did everything together, now even in death and their remembrance. Please RSVP by sending an email to her granddaughter at emayoh91@gmail.com - if you have already RSVP’d for Bill Kopack, you do NOT need to sign up again.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geraldine Alice Kopack, please visit our floral store.