Elizabeth Mary Bopp's Obituary
Elizabeth Mary Wozniak Bopp was born on April 27th, 1920 in Menominee, Michigan to first generation Polish immigrants, Joseph and Caroline Wozniak. She was the fourth of six siblings by whom she is preceded in death: Joseph Wozniak, Stella Narett, Jack Wozniak, Patrick Wozniak, and Cecilia "Bem" Kellner. Her mother, Caroline, passed away when Elizabeth was only 16, but just like the sparrow, the Lord had His eye on her. Agnes, the family's Catholic church housekeeper, had a heart for Elizabeth and looked after her as a surrogate mother well into her adulthood. Among the activities of childhood, Elizabeth was known both for her love of swimming and her banding together with her siblings to steal watermelons, cracking them on the railroad tracks, and drinking in the fruit's sweetness together. No doubt there was raucous laughter and quickly pumping legs as they made their getaway.
At 19, Elizabeth joined the women's World War II effort as a welder for ultra-light aircrafts commissioned with one way missions to crash supplies behind enemy lines. Having done her part to serve the war effort, Elizabeth and her two best friends, Mildred and Anna Mae, enrolled in County Normal School to learn to become teachers. Having never cared for the nicknames her first name brought such as Liz and Lizzie, she took this opportunity to begin introducing herself as Mary. At 23, she became responsible for the education of students aged 6 to 18 all housed in a one room school house. She was the right woman for the challenge. In February 1945, Mary was working towards her Bachelor's degree. In a night school chemistry class, Mary met her teacher, John, and with personal tutoring, she unsurprisingly received all As. Three months later, Mary said yes when John proposed and they married July 7th. Between 1946 and 1956, John and Mary were blessed with four children: Michael, Maureen, Patrick, and Mary.
Having completed her Bachelor's degree in 1963, Mary returned to the classroom, this time first grade only where she became a prominent and sought after reading teacher, later in life including some of her own grandchildren. While there were short bursts of providing special education services, she truly had found her niche and there she remained in faithful service for over 30 years. She retired from teaching in the early 1990s.
In 1995, Mary and John celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They took the opportunity to include the entire family in their party by asking for gifts in the form of performances. Dressed in wedding day finery, children and grandchildren offered dances, songs, karate, poetry, prayers, and words of thanks for the legacy their commitment to each other and their Lord was creating.
The Lord's call on Mary's life pressed her into service as a prayer counselor for the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach. Mary worked to promote the Sing, Spell, Read, and Write program before transferring to the counseling department after John's death in 1999. There she and the Lord walked together and talked together over every caller who came across her line. At 89, Mary joyfully entered retirement eschewing computers and commuter traffic for time with family.
Over the span of her adult life, Mary paid forward Agnes's generosity. This took many forms: teaching Sunday school, purchasing First Communion finery for those in need, and together with John, faithfully offering their cozy beach cottage to pastors and their families in need of respite from the rigors of ministry. Mary also glorified her God with her gardening, a devoted fan of the bright red geranium. She was a skilled artist in many forms of media, performed in several choirs, and loved spending time with her grandchildren in a variety of activities, including aquariums, zoos, beaches, and the Olive Garden. Her love of apples and ice cream will remain legendary.
In the sundown years of her life, Mary was lovingly added to the home of her son, Patrick, and his wife, Penny. Their faithfulness to her holistic care was truly an example of our Savior's love for us all.
Mary is preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, John D. Bopp, her daughter, Lt. Col. Maureen Killby, her daughter-in-law, Debra Bopp, and her grandson, Cpl. Matthew Wallace. She is survived by her children, Dr. Michael and his wife Dr. Judie Bopp, Rev. Dr. Patrick and his wife Penny Bopp, Mary and her husband Keith Wallace, and son-in-law Michael Killby and his wife, Jill. Mary is additionally survived by her grandchildren and their spouses, Akasha and Sara Bopp, Francis Bopp, Jennifer Bopp, TSgt. Michelle and Eric Brambila, Stephanie and Damion Farrington, Nathan and Mary Beth Bopp, Amy and Chris Story, Jessica and Scott Chase, Lt. Abigail and James Greenwell, and Micah and Brian Periman as well as her great grandchildren, Emily Bopp, Ty Bopp, Jesse Bopp, Sydney Bopp, Anthony Brambila, Kaitlyn Brambila, Tristan Brambila, Camden Brambila, Bryce Farrington, Caden Farrington, Olivia Farrington, Trent Farrington, Kendall Mae Bopp, Easton Bopp, Emma Grace Story, Gabrielle Chase, and Matthew Periman.
Mary will be forever missed and never forgotten. Rest well, good good good and faithful servant of the most high God. We love you, Buddy.
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