June A. Copeta

NEW SALEM - June A. Copeta, age 84, of New Salem, died peacefully at home on Saturday, October 21, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 13, 1933 in Athol, the daughter of the late Albert and Gertrude (Ramsdell) Ovitt. She grew up in Athol and attended Athol High School, graduating in 1951. June was very proud of having been a cheerleader to her classmates throughout her high school years, and being captain of the squad. She was an excellent dancer and a very social person who would strike up a conversation with anyone she encountered. June was employed by the Athol-Royalston School Department, retiring after 27 years. Once retired she enjoyed coffee and lunches with life-long friends and even more quality time with her ever growing family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was a loyal friend and always had her door open to anyone who needed a place to land. She was never far from charity work, making wreaths and other crafts to raise money for school trips. She made the best strawberry shortcake for the South Athol Church Fair every summer, and was a rescuer of many four legged friends over the years. June enjoyed many things over the years; family trips to Tupper Lake, Sunday trips with family to North Adams, regular card nights with the White Pond Crew and weekend road trips throughout northern New England with her husband Ed, Lawrence and Ann Cody. She also enjoyed many past times; feeding generations of ducks and geese at North Spec Pond with her husband, shopping, doing puzzles, annual Christmas Holiday scrabble games with her kids, evening rides in hopes of a deer sighting, watching birds come to the feeders during morning coffee and for many years, even the wild turkeys coming to dine, and family cookouts with her best friend Barbara and the Marquis family.. She remained a cheerleader at heart, (whether on the road or at home) to her own six children, the White Pond kids and later reviving her role as a proud cheerleader to her grandchildren as they grew into adulthood. She was a faithful sports fan through and through, even cheering for her beloved Patriots from the comfort of her favorite chair, and always with a four legged child purring in her lap, right up to the very end. She is survived by her son; Peter Copeta and his wife Maryann; daughters, Lisa Duran and her husband Gene, Lori Copeta, Lynn Copeta and Randy Plante, Lana Copeta and Thomas Slattery, and Lois Ray Paliulis and her husband Lee; grandchildren, Jonathan Copeta, Jennifer Duran, Amber Plante, Michael Ray, Katie Parton, Nick Slattery, Cole Paliulis, Nick Burton, and Jessie Burton; 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward J. Copeta in 2013; her sister, Virginia Ovitt, and brothers; Ernest Ovitt, Earl Ovitt, Ken Gravlin, and Bill LaValley Out of respect for June's wishes there are no calling hours. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in her name to the Athol Animal Shelter, 450 Thrower Road, Athol, MA 01331. To leave an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Rd. Orange, MA is assisting with arrangements