Obituary: Jennifer Bernadette Kopcza-Pinette, 50, Of Meriden

MERIDEN, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Jennifer Bernadette Kopcza-Pinette, 50, of Meriden, passed away on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain.

After a brief illness, Jennifer went peacefully into the arms of God with her loving husband, Jason and her parents by her side. She was born in Meriden on December 10, 1972, and is the daughter of Raymond and Holly (Hoad) Kopcza.

Jennifer was a bubbly ray of sunshine who brought joy and willingly opened her caring heart to everyone that knew and loved her. Jennifer's lifelong commitment to community service and caring for others began at a young age.

As a child, she volunteered at the Curtis home in Meriden helping the residents and even serving as a Christmas elf every year for holiday parties for the senior citizens. She also volunteered as a Candy Striper at the Meriden Wallingford Hospital, providing assistance and comfort to patients.

In her young adult life, Jennifer was a very active member of the Wallingford Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1996- 2006 (also known as the "Jaycees"). She held many different offices during her tenure in the organization but most proudly served as the Wallingford chapter president in 2004 and was well respected and loved by so many members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Additionally, she also volunteered for the Cove Center for Grieving Children and looked forward to their annual bereavement camp with the children from the program.

She also gave her time as a literacy volunteer at the Meriden Public Library and served as the CEO with the City Mission of Meriden. Jennifer was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Meriden and had a strong faith in God.

Jennifer was a graduate of Briarwood college and earned an Associate's degree in Business Management. After graduating from college, her career in business administration included employment at the Marriott Hotel Group, 3M Purification in Meriden, United Concrete Products, Connecticare and Water Logic USA. She was most recently employed as a purchasing assistant / buyer at Coilplus Connecticut Inc. This was a job that she truly enjoyed and made her very fulfilled and happy.

Jennifer will always be remembered for her very charismatic personality and infectious laugh that was contagious to all that knew her. She always kept a positive attitude even through trying times and was always available to help family or friends whenever needed. She was such a fun person to be around and always had a kind word or gesture for everyone and had such a positive impact on so many people that she had in her life.

Jennifer was a lover of all things in nature and she had a particular soft spot for dogs, treating each and every one like the valuable family member that they were. She often dog sat friend's dogs when they were away, sending regular updates and pictures to their moms and dads while she had them in her care.

Jennifer is survived by her parents Holly and Raymond Kopcza who are currently residing in Florida. She remained very close to her parents after they moved and regularly visited them. She is also survived by her husband, soulmate and the love of her life, Jason Pinette. They were married on September 19th, 2022.

In their newly married life, they loved working on home improvement projects together and enjoyed and cherished all the simple things in life and every single moment they spent together.

She particularly loved cooking and preparing food with him for themselves and others. She always said she loved him "endlessly" and described Jason as her "rock and her happy place." Not a single day went by when she did not tell Jason how much she loved and appreciated him. She truly had found her happily ever after with him by her side.

Jennifer is also survived by her stepdaughter Brittany Simmons and her husband Brandon Simmons, her beautiful granddaughter Brooke Simmons, whom she absolutely adored, and her little brother Brandon Jr. who will be arriving in April of 2024. She's also survived by her in-laws, aunts cousins and many devoted friends.

There will be a celebration of Jennifer's life held on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 159 East Main Street, Meriden, Connecticut 06450.

In lieu of flowers, Jennifer would have loved donations made to the Cove Center for Grieving Children, 1113 S Main St A, Cheshire, CT 06410.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.