Janice L. Kopacz

Janice L. Kopacz, 55, of Worcester, MA, passed away Wednesday evening, January 6, 2016, surrounded by her loving family after a sudden illness.Janice was born in Worcester, the daughter of Karol F. Kopacz, Sr. and Ruth E. (Auger) Kopacz. Janice was the youngest of four children. She grew up in Worcester and lived here most of her life. She earned a degree in Urban Studies from Worcester State University, earned a Certificate of Medical Product Development from the University of California Irvine, and was a Certified Quality Auditor.Janice was a Senior Quality Technician for Allen Medical in Acton, a Hill-Rom company, for the last ten years. She has been in the field most of her adult life. Janice had a passion for photography, classic cars, growing rose bushes and her Black Labrador Retrievers. Her innate interest in music drove her to play guitar and maintain a plethora of music genres, which she shared with friends. Janice had a great capacity for kindness, generosity and caring for her family, friends and co-workers. She demonstrated her faith in God through these attributes.She leaves her loving partner of 32 years, Lemonia Mironidis, of Worcester, her sister Sheila A. Borek and her husband Walter S. of Worcester, her brother Karol F. Kopacz, Jr. and his wife Jeanne of Boston, a nephew Steven W. Borek of Quincy, a niece Melissa A. Cateno and her husband James of Torrington, CT, a great niece and nephew Iris and Isaac Cateno also of Torrington, CT. Calling Hours for Janice will be held on Sunday, January 10, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. in Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St. Worcester. Her Funeral will be held on Monday, January 11, from the funeral home, departing at 10:40 a.m. in procession to a 11 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry St., Worcester. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Worcester Animal Rescue League or the Human Rights Campaign in her memory. To share thoughts and memories of Janice, please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.