Budd Lake Diner Waitress Passes Away

BUDD LAKE, NJ — Budd Lake Diner hostess and waitress Donna Cope passed away suddenly Tuesday night at home. She was 55.

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that our friend and longtime colleague Donna Cope has passed away. For anyone who has walked through the doors of the Budd Lake Diner for the past 15+ years would have interacted with her," the diner said on their Facebook page. "She was a stellar waitress and hostess. Her spunky personality matched her hair, and her smile brightened the room."

Cope was born on December 2, 1962 in Astoria Queens, New York, an obituary says.

According to an obituary:

Donna enjoyed relaxing by the pool, going to the beach, going out to dinner, watching TV and attending her family's sporting events but most importantly, she loved spending time with her cherished family and her dear friends at the Budd Lake Diner. Donna was a 1980 graduate of Hopatcong High School. She resided in Budd Lake for the past 25 years and previous to that she lived in Hopatcong, NJ.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Raymond, daughters Rachel and Raeanna, and her father, Leonard L. Hodapp, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with an 8:30 p.m. prayer service at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home (150 Landing Road, Landing). Burial will be private.

In leu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Children's Heart Foundation Pennsylvania Chapter (PO Box 176, Swarthmore, Pa. 19081) to "help fund research for children like Donna's great nephew, Alexander Cucinella with congenital heart disease."

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