Obituary for Dorothy Elizabeth Opilla

Dorothy Elizabeth (Stieber) Opilla, 94, of Topton and formerly of Franklin, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. Born on December 21, 1923, she was one of nine children of the late Mary Christine (Schultz) Stieber and George P. Stieber. She married U.S. Army and Marine Corps. veteran, Paul Cyril Opilla in 1949, and they have seven children, thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. After 16 years of moving from Army base to Army base, Dorothy and Paul settled in northern New Jersey, when Paul retired from the military and went to work at The Picatinny Arsenal.

Dorothy was very active in the Immaculate Conception Church Parish in Franklin, NJ, for over 30 years. When she and her husband moved to Topton, PA, they became active members at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Kutztown. An accomplished needle woman, Dorothy made alter cloths, vestments and even habits for the sisters at Immaculate Conception Church, when the Nuns modernized their attire in the 1970's.

In addition to her husband of over 68 years, Paul, Dorothy is survived by her children, Mary C. Opilla, Macungie, PA, Margaret M. (Opilla) DiDomenico, Allentown, PA, Theresa M. (Opilla) Baker, Manchester, CT, Paul M. Opilla, Renton, WA, Michael D. Opilla, Branchville, NJ, Thomas A. Opilla, Landing, NJ, and Peter G. Opilla, Ogdensburg, NJ; sister, Gertrude (Stieber) Gawker, Langhorne, PA; thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Kutztown, and future inurnment in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, will be held privately.

Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Topton, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.