Virginia M. ‘Linky’ Stimaker Kopena – Monessen, formerly of Webster, Donora and Apache Junction, Ariz.
Virginia M. “Linky” Stimaker Kopena, 79, of Monessen, formerly of Webster, Donora and Apache Junction, Ariz., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh. She was born on June 19, 1941, a daughter of the late Louis and Mary Ellen Reese Stimaker. A 1960 graduate of Rostraver High School, Mrs. Kopena was a retired officer and stewardess from the American Rusin Club in Donora. Linky was a hard worker, having worked at the Webster Dairy Bar, Diamond and Select Cleaners as a clothes presser, lunch lady at the Fifth and Sixth Street elementary schools in Donora and produce manager at the Donora I.G.A. She enjoyed doing word search puzzles, playing the slot machines and never missed her WWE Wrestling. She married the love of her life, Peter A. Kopena in 1964. They were married for 43 years until his passing on Feb. 24, 2007. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, George “Sonny” Stimaker and Thomas Stimaker; a sister-in-law, Patricia Stimaker; and two nephews, George L. Stimaker Jr. and Shawn Farquhar. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Sheila Kopena of Monessen; her fur baby, Suzy Q; one sister, Mary D. Farquhar of Belle Vernon; sisters-in-law, Sandra (John) Mosser and their son Dwight of Donora and Sophia Stimaker of West Newton; special niece, Cori (John) Bayman; her best friend, Judith (Dennis) Chiedor; and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC., 40 Second St. Ext., Carroll Township/Donora, PA 15033, 724-379-6900, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, followed by a funeral liturgy at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Donora. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Donora. To be socially responsible during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to limit the attendance to 50 people inside the funeral home at any given time. Guests are asked to obey social distancing guidelines and personal protection guidelines which include masks within the funeral home. Guests may be asked to limit their visitation times so that all visitors will have the opportunity to pay their respects. Thank you. Mrs. Kopena’s family would like to express their understanding for those who are unable to pay their respects due to the pandemic. To share a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.
