Jeannie Kopko DeSanto, age 50, entered into the Eternal Now on Sunday, July 10th at Mercy Medical Center in Canton due to complications of metastatic breast cancer. She lived in New Albany, Ohio for many years, recently returning to Canton. Jeannie saw her disease as a challenge in the adventure of life, engaging it with compassion, optimism, and a student’s mind.
Arrangements are entrusted to Heitger Funeral Home, Jackson Chapel, 5850 Wales Ave NW Massillon, OH. Calling hours are Friday, July 15th from 6-9pm.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday July 16th at 11am at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church 3430 St Michaels Blvd NW, Canton, OH. Fr. ________officiating. The family will receive guests one hour before the liturgy; her remains will be interred privately in Braddock, PA.
Additionally, an open-house celebration of her life will take place Friday, August 19th from 4-8pm at Spring Hollow Lodge, Sharon Woods Metropark, 1069 W. Main St. Westerville, OH.
Jeannie was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Norma and Peter Kopko on August 24, 1965. The family moved to Canton in 1968. She was a 1983 graduate of Central Catholic High School, received her BA in Psychology and Theology/Philosophy from Walsh University in 1986, and moved to Columbus Ohio shortly thereafter, working as Youth/Music Minister at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She earned a Masters of Information Strategy, Systems and Technology from Muskingum University in 2014. Her career path was rooted in service to others, and she enriched the lives of many through her work as a massage therapist at the Westerville Athletic Club and the CDC, artist, and program coordinator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her creativity was astonishing and her work ethic incredible. Jeannie loved learning and connected with others in the world of ideas. She lived a life of joyful prayer; she often gathered with others to experience the loving compassion of the Divine, and encouraged many who struggled with life’s challenges. She had hospitality of spirit that knew no strangers; her life embodied her values of humor, kindness, inclusivity, and nonjudgmental openheartedness. Even in death, she expressed her generosity by donating her corneas and other tissues via Life Banc.
She is survived by her parents, Norma Chavern Kopko and Peter Kopko ; her children Anthony, Andrew, and Rebecca DeSanto; her siblings Bob (Natalie) Kopko, Connie (Carolyn) Kramer, Tom Kopko and Jim (Rose) Kopko; numerous nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.
She had a loving extended family and was especially close to her Aunt Susan Kopko. Besides her three natural children, she was a mother figure to many of the childrens’ friends and to anyone who needed nurturing and unconditional love.
To honor her life, contributions in her memory are suggested to Cancer Treatment Centers of
America, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The OSU James Cancer Center, Mercy Medical Center of Canton, hopeforjustice.org, metavivor.org, or an environmental or arts-related charity of your preference, in lieu of flowers.
Jeannie’s family is grateful for everyone’s love and support particularly through her recent hospitalization. May your memories of Jeannie bring you comfort, and her way of being in the world inspire your own growth, creativity, and kindness toward others. Jeannie would be delighted to know she encouraged you in this way.
