JAYE

Jaye lost her long battle to cancer on March 6, 2001.

Her original bio follows:

Hi, my given name is Josephine, but I have been known as Jaye to family and friends all my life. I am 58 years young. Born and raised on Long Island, NY. We are presently living in Virginia Beach, VA and have been for the past 12 years. I was diagnosed in Dec.of 94' with breast cancer that had metastasized to my bone marrow. Once I was over the initial shock, I was treated with chemo treatments. I was in partial remission for 1 ½ years. I had a recurrence in March of 97'. We caught it fairly early, so I only needed to be treated with radiation this time. I am also a survivor of a gunshot wound to the left side of the torso, which happened in 1981. (Click here for that story)  I have 3 children by a previous marriage and 2 beautiful grandchildren. I met my husband Duane (known as Malamute) while he was on assignment for his company on Long Island. We have been married now for almost 18 years, and have been through more then any marriage should endure. We have made it through due to our wonderful love, patience, understanding, and a very strong faith in the Lord. I love cooking and eating (a true Italian) I also love crafts, writing, playing games, parties and just having lots of fun. I especially love life and lots of people around me, whether it be family or friends. Since I became a "regular" on the #cancer-survivors chat room, Oct.of 96', I have met so many wonderful people (some I have even met in person) We have opened up our home on 2 occasions to people from the chat room and have made some very special friends. We plan on doing it again in the near future. It has been said that I have been blessed with a special attitude for life, which has been an inspiration to many people. For this blessing, I am truly thankful. Nothing gives me more pleasure, then to share the Lords love and kindness with others.

Eulogies:

To My Sissypoo Jaye

Two are better than one,
because they have a good reward
for their toil.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NRSV)

A sister is someone more special than words. She's love mixed with friendship; the best things in life. She's so much inner beauty blended together with an outward appearance that brings a smile to the happiness in your heart...

A sister is one of the most precious people in the story of your life. And you'll always be together, whether you’re near or apart.

Together, you have shared some of the most special moments two people have ever shared. A sister is a perspective on the past, and she's a million favorite memories that will always last. A sister is a photograph that is one of your most treasured possessions. She's a note that arrives on a special day, and when there's news to share, she's the first one you want to call. A sister is a reminder of the blessings that come from closeness. Sharing secrets. Disclosing dreams. Learning about life together.

A sister is a confidante and a counselor. She's a dear and wonderful friend, and -- in certain ways -- something like a twin. She's a hand within your hand; she's so often the only one who really understands. A sister is honesty and trust enfolded with love. She's sometimes the only person who sees the horizon from your point of view, and she helps you to see things more clearly. She is a helper and a guide, and she is a feeling, deep inside, that makes you wonder what you would ever do without her.

What is a sister? She's someone more special than words; someone beautiful and unique. And in so many ways, there is no one who is loved so dearly.

And now Jaye you are my Angel watching over me.You gave so much love and strenght to others and pushing your pain aside to be there by their side.Now you are at peace with no more pain to bare.And watching over all of us knowing that you were there.Sis you are in my heart and we will never be apart.

Love Your Sissypoo pookie (Marie)

For all of you that knew and loved Jaye, (and there were many of us for sure), I have to inform you that she lost her battle with this dreaded disease last night at 9:20pm eastern time.

Jaye has been with our channel almost from the time I started it and that has to be at least 5+ plus years now. ( I honestly have lost track)

She has been a dear friend to me and to many as well as a great support for many new members and ...well..just about anyone that graced her path.

My heart goes out to Duane and the rest of her family. She will be greatly missed. She will now join our dear net angels and watch over us all.

Her pain and suffering are now at an end and for that I am thankful. She is now in a kinder gentler place and I will miss her a great deal.

Patt

I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Jaye for as long as Patti has. I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Jaye, Duane and her daughter and son and grandchildren while they were visiting on Long Island many years ago and when she stayed at my place once and we had a pajama party. Jaye and I went to Foxwoods Casino that weekend to visit with Pharm (Bruno) and had a great time eating, drinking and gambling and getting to know one another.

Jaye was a true friend to all that crossed her path. She overcame all obstacles life threw at her and never seemed to lose her sense of laughter and enjoyment of life itself.

To Jaye, you fought a long battle, my friend. You showed us how to fight this dreaded disease with humor, fortitude and courage. I know you will continue to watch over those you loved but now you will without pain in your vigilance to keep them safe. Give the old goat a hug from the young goat Jaye.

God bless.
Rita Petrie-Wilson

Jaye was a wonderful person that will be missed by all. When my son was stricken with leukemia, Jaye sent him pins to put on his collar and cards telling him that there was an angel on his shoulder. Jaye was that angel to us.

She also brought us to the cancer survivors channel where we found support at the darkest most painful time in our lives.

Even through her own illness it was obvious to me that her primary purpose was to offer support to others in fighting their battles.

Its very hard for me to find the words to express to others how much she has meant to my family and to my son.

Our love and prayers for an everlasting peace go with you Jaye.

`Bear & ltlcasino

I was on line the 1st time Jaye came to the channel and we quickly became friends. Since we were usually there late into the night we were know as the "nightowls". Jaye had a wonderful knack for making people feel welcome and I know those who were sad soon had a smile. When I was having problems coping with yet another cancer surgery it was Jaye and Pharm who kept me going and I'll love them both forever. Jaye thank you for your love and friendship. You'll be missed but never forgotten. May you have peace.

With much love grisabell/charli cgaetz ^Å^

It is with great regret I read of the passing of Jaye. She was a special person and I enjoyed her company and her laughs. She will always be a warm and loving person to me, and I will always remember pushing her about Seattle in her wheelchair. Rest peacefully Jaye, and my best wishes to Mal and all her extended cancer-survivors family

Laurence (elsquid)

For our many Friends and Family;
As I sit here, in "My time", I wish to express my most profound gratitude to all of you for the support and love and caring that you all have shown me and Jaye through the years and most especially now at this time. Not everyone ever gets the opportunity to have not only acquantances but real friends and loving people to work with or to just know and to know and can call them as real friends and caring Humans. Both of us, thru the years, have been able to really been able to assess the values of true friendship, starting with the two of us, the real value of what friends, companions, love and caring for others is really all about. There is nothing like the Spirit of God to get all of us thru hardships, obstacles, detours or what-ever that may come about. We are all Brothers and Sisters and the Children of God The Almighty and no matter what, we must all always work together to strive for perfection and love in all ways to achieve our goals and to help others along the way to achieve their's. Working together, both professionally and personally, is the only way to get things done and done the right way. I have been guilty of preaching it but not practicing it and I deeply regret that and am going work on being more like Jaye....Forgiving, loving, helping, caring (even to those that .....) We must always stop and think, how would Jaye have done that...That is what we must try to emulate...She was the most loving, caring, forgiving, etc...type of person I and others have ever met, and we should use Her as an example of what everything is all about. Jaye has been such a good example of the way everyone should be, the way Christ taught. Jaye was such a Mortal and Spiritual support to so many people around her and we all should do our best to emulate her as she was emulating what Christ was doing and is doing, the things that we, as humans tend to forget until times of need. Christ tried to teach all of us the same thing that Jaye's life and thoughts were; How would Christ have handled this situation? If in doubt, pray and ask. I have been the most fortunate to have been Loved by and to have had as my Beloved Wife and Companion and true friend, the person to whom I will always Love and remember. I just pray that enough of her has rubbed off on to me so that I can carry on the things she has always promoted.

All my love; Duane/Malamute

This eulogy was written by Jaye's beloved daughter, Vicky. She asked me, Mary S., if I would do the honor of reading it for her as she felt it might be too difficult for her to do herself…

"As I write this, I am with heavy heart. I apologize for not standing in front of you, but I am sure you will understand. I felt it so important to put my feelings into words, as I am sure they are feelings that we all share.

During the past few days of sharing thoughts and special moments with all of you here today, those of you who shared my love for Jaye, I am convinced of one thing…My mother was truly an angel. She touched the lives of every person she knew and made you feel that you were a better person just for knowing her. Whether she was the love of your life, your mother, your grandmother or your friend, she had a way of bringing out the best in you. Whenever you were around Jaye, you were sure to enjoy yourself. Whether it was her great cooking, the parties she would throw or provoke, the jokes that she would tell or the games that she enjoyed playing, you could be sure that the time spent with her would ensue a memory that would last a lifetime. She had a way of lighting up a room. She was the life of the party; the ultimate "Party Girl". Her zest for life, her sense of humor and her positive mental attitude made her the wonderful woman that we have all come to love. Even on her worst day, Jaye could find a way to make you smile.

My mother would not want us to mourn her death. Instead, we should celebrate her life and all the good times that we shared with her. I know I speak for all of us when I say that Jaye will truly be missed. Although we will no longer walk the earth together, she will always be in our hearts and on our minds. She will be looking down on us from heaven and help to guide us through the rest of our days. There will be signs that she is there with us, but we must slow down and we will recognize them. I know this to be true, because I have seen them. As I sit in front of her computer writing this eulogy, I ran across a beautiful poem written in her handwriting that must have touched her and has great meaning to me as it was lightly snowing the night that she passed. It is entitled "Snowflakes of Love" and I would like to share it with you:

"In the Darkness of the night the gentle white flakes dance softly to the earth, each one different and special, just like friends. No two are exactly alike, but they make you feel wonderful deep down inside. The snowflakes cover the land like friendship does one's heart. Like a cozy blanket of love. Snowflakes fall in different shapes and sizes, each unique with it's own personality, just like friends. Each one caring and gentle, dancing in your heart like a snowflake of love."

I think that it is important that we learn the lessons that Jaye was set out on this earth to teach us; that life is precious and every moment counts. We must live our lives to the fullest, with honesty and no regrets and we will be rewarded with love, which is one of Gods greatest gifts.

I thank each and every one of you here today for your kind words and comfort that you provided during this most difficult time, but most importantly for being a special person in my mothers life. I know that she treasured each and every one of us here in this room and her only regret is having to leave us behind.

Until we meet again, my sweet angel, I will thank god for every moment that I was privileged to share with you. You have earned your wings and are truly the wind beneath mine."

FOR THOSE WHO KNEW JAYE

Josephine (Jaye) Coplen, for those who knew her, was the name of an Angel. An Angel sent from our Creator. A gift that was not recognized from afar, but, on the chance that one might be near her or have the honor to speak with her, there was the instant feeling that you were in the presence of someone wise beyond her years. Her spirit was and still is equal to none. She attracted goodness, happiness and would hold ones attention with a mere smile. (Ask Duane about her miracle then you will understand).

Jaye was our mother, watching over the children (us) and keeping them in line. Never one to hold a punch, Jaye would tell it like it is and offer no apology knowing that we took her advice to heart. Often times she would say things we would not consider in a conversation, that would make sense, and end a conflict.

Our fondest memories were of coming home from work and hoping that when we came around the bend in the court, that she and Duane would be outside so we could talk for a spell. On the weekend we would all come out and park ourselves in the neighborhood office (Duane's Garage). The ladies talking about this and that (mostly chastising us men folk) the Gents talking Guns, Ammo, Deer, Dodge Trucks, or about bringing back public wife beating which Duane would try to petition for. Jaye would patiently listen to him and playfully say "shut-up Duane" his response would be "yes dear". During these little group activities Jaye would have a hankering for snacks, she would go inside and bring numerous types of goodies and then someone else would bring something and the eating and drinking would begin. (beer for us men and water "yeah right" for the ladies).

Jaye created the "Revolving Party"; this because every function was held at her house and after a while many of us just thought it was the law. Eventually she would task one of us to get the ball rolling for the next party. Jaye was always involved in the preparation. One of the things we loved about her is she always gave the men a hard time about procrastination (which was true). She would say that if it was left up to the men to put a party together you might as well forget the party (once again true).

Once when Duane was out of town and due in on the evening of our annual Halloween party she talked a bunch of us into going to the airport to pick him up, in costume. When Duane saw us he tried to run but we got him good. How we did not get arrested was a miracle.

As the years went by Jaye got ill and we would band together to comfort them as best we could, but the one thing that comes to our minds was the selfless way she cared about us all. One day comes to mind. Christine Wulliman, a very close friend in the court took ill to the point of near death. Without thought of her health, she undertook the duty of rallying everyone together to let us know what was happening and then getting us together to visit her and pray for her. Her dedication to her family of friends undoubtedly helped in bringing Christine back from the edge of death.

For a short while her battles with cancer stopped and she was healthy and just a bundle of energy. Then one day it returned, it returned with a strong agenda, to take our Angel away from us. Well Jaye was having none of it and she began her battle once again. She put on her game face and stood her ground. She fought the good fight but at 9:20 PM on March 6th 2001 with her Family around her, Jaye's body could not handle the strong spirit within and she broke free of the monster that tormented her. She had cheated the pain, she had cheated the suffering but most of all she had cheated death because now she is in her true form, she is more powerful and more full of life than ever before. She may have died in body, but she has been reborn as an ANGEL and servant unto our Creator. She will always be at the parties, the late night talks at Duane's Office and in the neighborhood watching over her family and her family of friends. Jaye you will forever be remembered and loved. We miss you in body but we feel your spirit. See you soon.

Angel Casiano