Mrs. Sue Chopak , 92, passed away on Sunday, November 26th with her daughter by her side.
Born on September 17, 1931 in the Bronx, NY to Theresa (neé Perlberg) and Joseph Whitman. She graduated from James Monroe High School in the Bronx in 1949. For the past 40 years, she has been a resident of Scottsdale Arizona.
For most of her life, Sue applied her excellent executive functioning skills as an administrative assistant to bank presidents or division heads including the Bowery Savings Bank in NY and the Department of Revenue for the State of Arizona from where she retired in 1996. Upon moving to Arizona in 1983, Sue become an active member of Hadassah of the Valley-Henrietta Szold chapter, and then a Life member of Hadassah International; the National Council of Jewish Women where she served both organizations as recording/corresponding secretary. She was also a member of Temple Beth Emet, Scottsdale.
To know Sue was to love her. She never met a stranger. If you were her friend, she knew everything about you and remembered your birthday, your age, your kids’ names where you were from and how long you lived in Arizona. In her home she enjoyed entertaining and going to parties. Sue loved her family fiercely and she loved to travel to the many family events over the years and visiting her family in Georgia and NY.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Richard Chopak and bonus sons Paul and William (Bill) Chopak.
She is survived by her daughter Joanne (Terry) Foss of Statesboro; Bonus son John Chopak (Donna Trucchi), sister Marion Whitman Yalof; Beloved nieces, BJ Hernandez and Elaine Faraci; daughter in love, Ileen Chopak; beloved grandchildren Caren Chopak Olaine (Jason); Lauren Chopak, Jenna Chopak Engelbert (Chris), Joshua Chopak, Jamie and Jordan Foss; great grandchildren Aislyn, Evan and Miles Olaine; Emme and Parker Engelbert. Nieces and Nephew and their families: David Yalof (Andrea); Abby Yalof Hoffman (Brendan); Cathy Yalof Brodows (Scott); Great nieces and their families: Rachel Hernandez, Gil, Isaac & Vivian Speyer; Caraline, Eric, Gabi and Ben Weidemann; Stephanie Faraci and Kendra Faraci Valerio.
Graveside services were held on November 29th at 2:00 pm at Green Acres Cemetery and Mortuary, Tempe, Arizona. A reception celebrating Sue’s life will be held immediately following the service at McDowell Village Senior Residence, 8300 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Shiva will be observed at the home of her daughter Joanne in Statesboro, GA from December 11-13 from 6-8 pm.
The family would like to thank the caregivers, medical, dining room and administrative staff of McDowell Village Senior residence where Sue lived for the past 7.5 years for their incredible care and affection to her and to the wonderful nurses and staff at Hospice of the Valley who took care of her for the past three months.
Contributions in Sue’s memory can be made to any of the following: Hospice of the Valley Arizona; Ogeechee Area Hospice-Statesboro, GA; Hadassah International or a local Hadassah chapter; National Council of Jewish Women.
