Nov 13, 2012

Virginia Rae Chopak Schaefer, 75, of Canonsburg, died Saturday, November 10, 2012, in Canonsburg General Hospital.

She was born July 12, 1937, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of Norman L. and Mary Ellen Flannery Cline.

Mrs. Schaefer loved spending time with her grandchildren, and had a strong interest in civil rights.

She retired as director of education at AFSCME, Council 13, in 1999. She had gained national attention as a guest labor instructor, especially for her powerful monologue portrayals of Mother Jones and Susan B. Anthony. Her devotion to labor and education was lifelong, as she served as a local union training instructor for six years, before Council 13, along with holding several local union officer positions. She will be deeply missed by those who knew her in the labor movement.

Surviving are her son, Andrew Chopak and wife Heather of Canonsburg; daughter Sheryl McCutheon and husband Kenneth of Scotland; daughter Roberta Czarnecki of Chicago, Ill.; stepson William R. Schaefer of Camp Hill; stepdaughter Sonia Schaefer Sellers of Harrisburg; brother Pat Cline Sr. and wife Mary Lou of Venetia; three grandchildren, Joshua, Holly and Heather Chopak; a niece, Kimberly Gillott; and nephew Pat Cline Jr.

In addition to her parents, deceased are her husband, Harry A. Schaefer; son David Andrew Chopak; and brother Norman L. Cline Jr.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Sollon Funeral Home Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, J. David Sollon, supervisor, Phillip L. Sollon, director, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 16, with the Rev. Daniel and the Rev. Catherine Peternel officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. Please visit www.sollon.com for additional information and to view and leave condolences.