Thecla F. Werner Coppolo, 87, of 570 Church Street, St. Marys, passed away quietly, on Sunday evening, March 9, 2014, after a lengthy illness.
Thecla was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1926, in St. Marys, the youngest daughter of the late Arthur A. and Edith Mary Kaul Werner. On April 16, 1955, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, she married Attorney Alvin B. Coppolo, the love of her life, who predeceased her in 2008.
She is survived by six children and family, Alvin B. Jr. and his wife Carol, of Hudson, Ohio; Thecla C. Matthews, of Ozark, Alabama; Rita C. Ordiway and her husband Robert of St. Marys; Priscilla C. Flynn and her husband Daniel, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Diane C. Bialis and her husband Gregory, of Ballwin, Missouri; and Attorney Thomas George Gregory Coppolo and his wife Renee, of St. Marys. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren: Jennifer (Mrs. Sean Holsing), Alvin B. III, Carolyn (Mrs. Steven Corcoran) and Gregory Coppolo; William B. III, Thecla W. (Mrs. Andrew Hinkebein), David and Sara Elizabeth Matthews; Kathryn and Ann Ordiway; Molly, Danny, Matthew and Kevin Flynn; John, Margaret and Mary Bialis; and Alexandra, Meghan and Emma Coppolo; and one great-grandchild, Madelyn Holsing. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie W. Conrad, of St. Marys; and numerous nieces and nephews, and other family members.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Arthur G. Werner; and four sisters, Helen W. Fritz, Rita Werner (in infancy), Edith “Pete” W. Knoll, and Virginia “Budge” W. Leopold.
Teck, as she was affectionately known, was a lifelong resident of the area and member of St. Mary’s Parish. She was a graduate of St. Marys Central Catholic High School, Class of 1944, and took art lessons at St. Joseph Convent. After finishing high school she went to Philadelphia and studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. After returning home she painted, worked at the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and for Dr. Hayes for many years. She met and fell in love with Attorney Alvin B. Coppolo in 1954 and they were married in 1955.
Thecla was an accomplished artist. She frequently used her talents to decorate the St. Marys Country Club with her friends for Charity Balls sponsored by the Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Her artistic and stylish eye carried over into everything she did, from dressing to setting a table. Every holiday or occasion was made beautiful by her creativity and attention to detail. She loved to throw a party and will always be remembered for the fabulous gatherings she hosted at home.
Teck served many years as a Director on the Boards of the St. Marys Country Club and Deposit Bank, later First Commonwealth Financial Corporation. She enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, playing board games, puzzles, and gardening.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Thecla W. Coppolo will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 15th, in St. Mary’s Church, with the Rev. Thomas More Sikora, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 14th, at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Elk County Catholic Band Boosters, 600 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Helen J. Mattivi, 82, of 206 Dagus Mines Road, Dagus Mines, PA, passed away Monday, March 10, 2014, at the Elk Regional Health Center after a brief illness.