A memorial Mass for Sister Carol Kopff, OP, was to have been celebrated Jan. 14 at St. Catherine Laboure Church in Sappington. Sister Carol died Dec. 18 at Siena Hall at the Dominican Convent in Sparkill, New York. She was 86 years old.
Born in St. Louis on April 5, 1936, Carol Jean was the daughter of Milton and Hilda (Rocklage) Kopff. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill (Sparkill Dominicans) on Sept. 8, 1956, and received the name Sister Mary Karen. Sister Carol professed first vows in 1958 and final vows in 1963.
Sister Carol earned a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill in 1961 and a master’s degree in science from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1973. She also earned a certificate in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
Sister Carol’s ministries include St. Agnes Home and School in Sparkill, New York (1958-61); St. Mary School in Fulton, New York (1961-63); St. Kevin School in St. Ann(1963-68); St. Elizabeth of Hungary School in Crestwood (1968-76) and pastoral associate (1992-98); Holy Rosary School in Monroe City, Missouri (1976-79) and pastoral associate (1979-82); Queen of Peace in Ewing, Missouri, pastoral associate (1982-87); student, Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California (1987-88); and pastoral associate at St. Norbert Parish in Florissant (1988-92).
From 1998-2014, Sister Carol served in prison ministry at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center. Sister Carol received the 2011 St. Rose of Lima Society Lifetime Achievement Award from Aquinas Institute of Theology and the 2013 Distinguished Alumna Award from Ursuline Academy for her commitment to educational, pastoral, and prison ministries.
Sister Carol was predeceased by her parents, Milton and Hilda Kopff, and her brother Don. She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Unger, and brothers Dale and Greg.
