Cathie Ellen Kopeckya prominent figure in the 1980s LGBT scene in Chicagodied Oct. 12. She was 56.
Kopecky was many things, including a businesswoman and activist. She was a founding board member of Horizons, which later became the Center on Halsted. Kopecky also frequently taught business classes at the Women's Business Development Center.
She left Chicago 17 years ago, and is survived by her partner, her two beloved dogs, and many family and friends.
According to Legacy.com ( courtesy of an obit from Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Fla. ), Kopecky "was defined by her ability and talents in the business world. ... In her hometown of Chicago, she owned her own insurance business and then went into the remodeling business with her company, KC Beautiful Dimensions. She even had her own pet treat business.
"But, what is most telling of Cathie's talent and more importantly, her generosity, is that she served as an instructor at a woman's business center in Chicago where she freely and graciously offered women advice and information that would help point them on a more successful and promising career path."
The website also defines Kopecky as "a survivor," noting, "at 19 years old, she was first diagnosed with cancer and she subsequently beat cancer three times."
Legacy.com also states that Kopecky "was defined by her lesbianism. Cathie knew she was a lesbian early in life and she fit the stereotypes of the little girl who was always very athletic, enjoyed boy-stuff, and never wanted to dress like the typical girls did."