WILMINGTON — Katherine “Kate” Kopec Burton of Wilmington passed away at home on Oct. 30, 2016.
Kate was born on Oct. 2, 1967, in Huntington, N.Y. to Thaddeus Kopec and Rosemary Stocks Kopec. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam in 1991, and spent her career in social work.
Kate was a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend, who brightened the life of every person she met. After her family and friends, Kate’s greatest love was music. She was a gifted singer who sang at Carnegie Hall, toured Europe with the Sound of America, and performed at the 1986 Liberty Weekend festivities in New York City. Later, Kate sang with Wilmington’s Carolina Vocal Arts Ensemble, and founded Wilmington “pop-up chorus” Show Up and Sing. Kate’s home away from home was the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which she attended eight times, and where she established scores of lifelong friendships.
In addition to her parents, Kate is survived by her husband of 25 years Jim; son Jonathan and daughter Natalie; brother Thaddeus Kopec Jr. of Fayetteville, N.C.; and sister Jennifer Kopec Jones of Ocala, Fla.
A celebration of Kate’s life will be held at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington NC 28401.
