Kate (Hopley) Cordani

Kate (Hopley) Cordani, 95, passed peacefully at home on Friday, August 5. 2022 surrounded by family.  Born in Dorchester, Illinois on January 23, 1927 to the late Mr. & Mrs. Owen & Mary Ann (Judson) Hopley, both immigrants from Sheffield, England.  Kate resided in her home for over 60 years and has told family that the house sits on the first 80 acres of land that began the township of Staunton.

Kate married Angelo Cordani on January 30, 1949 at the Methodist Church in Witt, Illinois.  They shared almost 68 years of marriage before his death in 2017.

As a lifelong resident of Staunton, Kate was a devoted housewife, dedicated mother, grandmother, & great-grandmother.  She was a woman of strong faith and a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton involved in Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, Bible Class, and was a regular Nursing Home visitor on Communion days.

She enjoyed Staunton Municipal Band Concerts, riding her bike, and was an avid reader who believed in lifelong learning.  She spent countless hours at her kitchen table with grandchildren making sure their school lessons were completed.  Many may remember her dedication to walking and leading a healthy lifestyle.  She did enjoy sweets on occasion and would indulge in things like custard or a mincemeat pie - her favorites.  She had a fond affection for birds and enjoyed countless hours of watching them through her house windows.  Kate was also an avid sports fan who loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, & Illini basketball.  Kate was a quiet, private person of few words but when she did speak it was very witty.  She held a keen intuitive sense about life events.  She lived a very humble life and maintained her household until the very end, proudly keeping a very clean and organized home.

Kate is survived by 4 Children -  Mark (Kay) Cordani of Pontiac, Illinois;  Mary Ann Heise (George Compton) of Staunton, Illinois;  Christine (Steve) Foshage of St. Charles, Missouri; & Wanda (Steve) Hughes of Staunton, Illinois;  7 Grandchildren -  Maria (Ryan) Gusewelle, Karla (Mike) Finnegan, Kirk (Lisa) Cordani, Kathryn (Thom) Ward, Joshua Henke, Whitney (Taylor) Breen, & Robert Foshage;  16 Great Grandchildren -  Collin & Eric Gusewelle;  Cole, Ethan, Sean, & Amelia Finnegan;  Gianni, Louie, Angelo, & Nico Cordani;  Karleigh, Bennett, & Brooklyn Ward;  Elliott Henke;  Brooks, Brady, and a soon-to-be Beau Breen;  2 Sisters-In-Law - Christine "Nonnie" DalPozzo & Geraldine Polley;  & many Nieces & Nephews.  Besides her husband & parents, she was preceded in death by an infant Daughter -  Kathleen Cordani;  Son-In-Law - Patrick Heise;  3 Brothers - Owen, Phillip, & Bernard Hopley;  & 1 Sister - Kathleen Lowe.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton & again from 10 to 11 AM on Friday, August 12, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 11 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, with Rev. William Gleason & Rev. Darwin Schrader co-officiating.  Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton, Illinois.  Memorials are suggested to either Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton or to Zion Lutheran School of Staunton.

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