Cordani

Kate (Hopley) Cordani, 95, passed peacefully at home on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, surrounded by family. Born in Dorchester, Ill., on Jan. 23, 1927, to the late Owen and Mary Ann (Judson) Hopley, both immigrants from Sheffield, England. Kate resided in her home for over 60 years and has told family that the house sits on the first 80 acres of land that began the township of Staunton.

Kate married Angelo Cordani on Jan. 30, 1949, at the Methodist Church in Witt, Ill. They shared almost 68 years of marriage before his death in 2017.

As a lifelong resident of Staunton, Kate was a devoted housewife, dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a woman of strong faith and a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton involved in Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, Bible Class, and was a regular nursing home visitor on communion days.

She enjoyed Staunton Municipal Band Concerts, riding her bike, and was an avid reader who believed in lifelong learning. She spent countless hours at her kitchen table with grandchildren making sure their school lessons were completed. Many may remember her dedication to walking and leading a healthy lifestyle. She did enjoy sweets on occasion and would indulge in things like custard or a mincemeat pie – her favorites. She had a fond affection for birds and enjoyed countless hours of watching them through her house windows. Kate was also an avid sports fan who loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Illini basketball. Kate was a quiet, private person of few words but when she did speak it was very witty. She held a keen intuitive sense about life events. She lived a very humble life and maintained her household until the very end, proudly keeping a very clean and organized home.

Kate is survived by four children, Mark (Kay) Cordani of Pontiac, Ill., Mary Ann Heise (George Compton) of Staunton, Christine (Steve) Foshage of St. Charles, Mo., and Wanda (Steve) Hughes of Staunton; seven grandchildren, Maria (Ryan) Gusewelle, Karla (Mike) Finnegan, Kirk (Lisa) Cordani, Kathryn (Thom) Ward, Joshua Henke, Whitney (Taylor) Breen, and Robert Foshage; 16 great-grandchildren, Collin & Eric Gusewelle; Cole, Ethan, Sean, and Amelia Finnegan; Gianni, Louie, Angelo, and Nico Cordani; Karleigh, Bennett, and Brooklyn Ward; Elliott Henke; Brooks, Brady, and a soon-to-be Beau Breen; two sisters-in-law, Christine "Nonnie" DalPozzo and Geraldine Polley; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kathleen Cordani; son-in-law, Patrick Heise; three brothers, Owen, Phillip and Bernard Hopley; and one sister, Kathleen Lowe.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton and again from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. William Gleason and Rev. Darwin Schrader co-officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to either Zion Lutheran Church or to Zion Lutheran School of Staunton.

Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at http://www.williamsonfh.com.