Mary Kopulos Oettmeier Dickerson, 57, of Prairie Village, Kan., fell asleep in the arms of the Lord May 23, 2010. A visitation will be held from 5-8PM, with the Trisagion service at 7PM, Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd.; burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Funeral services will be 10AM, Thursday, May 27, 2010 at Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church, 12001 Wornall Rd. Memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Mary was born June 12, 1952 in Kansas City, Mo. She was the eldest of four children of Gus and Helen Kopulos. She attended grade school at William Rockhill Nelson and graduated from Center High School in 1970. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Humanities from Kansas State University in 1974. She earned a Master’s of Science in Elementary Education from Kansas State University in 1977. Mary taught for the Shawnee Mission School District for 34 years having taught over 600 children. During those years, Mary’s students inspired her and she became friends with the wonderful teachers who taught there. Saint Francis de Sales once said, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing so strong as real strength.” Fourteen years ago, Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer. The past fourteen years, Mary has shown courage and strength. She wanted others who are diagnosed with cancer to know, that cancer is not the end. “I don’t like the word ‘battled’, she said. “I haven’t battled cancer. I beat the statistics. I have accomplished a lot in fourteen years. I have traveled extensively, watched both my sons’ graduate high school and college, I attended both of their weddings and I’ve held my grandbabies in my arms.” This past week, Mary reflected on family. “The word incredible keeps coming to mind. My sister and my brothers have come to my rescue on more than one occasion.” Mary’s eyes welled with tears when she talked about her mother, “We’ve been through a lot together. After I’m gone, I don’t want her to waste the rest of her life being sad. I want her to remember our Sunday family dinners, having lunch together and shopping at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.” Over seventeen years ago, Mary met and later married Roger Dickerson; together they have shared a wonderful life together. “Roger has been my best friend. When doctors diagnosed me with cancer, he took my hand and said, ‘We’ll get through this, kid.’” Mary’s final words, “My sons were my biggest accomplishment. I want them to know that I will always look over them.” Mary was preceded in death by her father, Gus Kopulos. Survivors include her loving husband, Roger; her two sons, Bret Oettmeier (wife Michelle); Ryan Oettmeier (wife Julie); step-son, Brett Dickerson (wife Dani); her grandchildren, Jack, Avery, Trinity and Ariana; mother, Helen Kopulos Toplikar; step-father, Frank Toplikar; brother, Greg Kopulos (wife Mimi); sister, Pam “K.” Kopulos; brother, Dean Kopulos (wife Karen); and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Online condolences may be left at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.
Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.
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