Thank you all for coming.
The following was a collaboration of Evelyn S. Koplo’s three children, Steve, Harv and Merryl. Although Steve could not be present at this unveiling, and I, Harv, was elected to speak, I am speaking for all three of us, and these words come from all three of our hearts.
It is traditional at this time to reflect on the significance and accomplishments of my mom's life, and, as she was important to so many people, we will do this today. But before reflecting I want to say something that all of us in the family agree on.
It is almost a year since my mom passed. Her passing was not a surprise. She had battled to overcome lung cancer twice. The second time she successfully won the battle to be able to attend my son’s wedding, which was very important to her. By the third time – six months after the wedding - we knew the battle was almost over. We were thankful that she had survived as long, as well, with as much quality of life, and with as much interaction with all those important to her life, as she did. When it was time, she went quickly, with little or no pain.
This year has not been an easy one for any of us, her survivors. We have missed her tremendously. Until someone is gone, the lack of their presence can never really be experienced. I can attest that, in the case of my mom, her presence was so big in life that the void this past year has been almost overwhelming. We, her family and friends, have survived, but painfully so.
That we have survived is not so much a testament to our fortitude as it is to Mom's constant attention throughout her life to stabilize those she loved and cared about. We, her husband and children, her family and friends, are here and doing well thanks to her. Her help and dedication never wavered. She was the most supportive person we have ever had, and her unwavering support has been a foundation for all our successes in life. She was the wind under our wings, that helped us all to fly…
Evelyn was born October 31st, 1929 in Brooklyn NY, the youngest of five children. Her parents emigrated to this country from Odessa, in the Ukraine. Evey was a first generation American. She excelled in school and was an avid reader all of her life. She was interested in everything, and she enjoyed talking to people on any subject. And, she made a difference in people's lives. Hundreds of people. Mom treated everyone as an equal, she made each one feel valuable and worthwhile. There is no one else I've ever met who was so truly loved by everyone she came in contact with.
Mom was always rooting for the underdog – she never forgot what it was like growing up in an immigrant household, never forgot what her parents had gone through to get to this country and rise out of extreme poverty. She cared about people - all people, no matter their color or ethnic culture, no matter what their religion. She was always willing to help in whatever way she could.
She taught her children to respect and fight for civil liberties and human rights for all. She taught the value of living things – plants, animals and people. She impregnated her kids with a social conscience, and she supported social movements and civil rights groups. My mom cared so much for others, true selfless caring, that they in turn found themselves loving her back. As a result the magnitude of her effect on everyone she touched was immense.
Years ago, Evey took on the role of matriarch, of both the Koplo and Steinberg clans. It was in this role that she kept the communication lines of the family together. Everyone spoke with Evey, and received news of everyone else from her. She became the clearinghouse for family information, the fulcrum that enabled us all to keep in touch with each other. Hopefully, we can continue these communications through email now that she’s gone.
Yes, we will miss Evelyn. We are very grateful for her having been here, for her guidance and her love. OUR lives have been bettered by knowing her, by her counsel and by the examples she kept. We appreciate her many achievements and the immeasurable joy she has given us. She lived a long life and we feel proud to have known her. We are eternally thankful for all the time that we had with her.
It has been a tough year without her, and we grieve her passing.
(MERRYL REMOVED THE VEIL AT THIS POINT)
We now fondly dedicate this stone to the blessed memory of Evelyn Steinberg Koplo, realizing that her remains lie not only in this plot of ground but in every heart that her life touched. We are grateful for the years we were privileged to share with her - years when she brought us so many pleasures, so much love, and taught us all so much. And even though she has left our midst, we know she will never leave our hearts, where her memory will endure as a blessing forever. We love you, mom.