Vera Eileen Opitz

Vera “Eileen” Opitz, 92, of Sandy Lake passed away peacefully at AHN Grove City Hospital on July 17, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and service. Eileen was born to the late William J. and Edyth Boyd Paxton on March 31, 1933. She loved growing up on the family farm, helping her dad deliver milk from their North Hill Dairy. After graduating from Sandy Lake High School, she attended Sharon General Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1954. Eileen married the love of her life, Gordon Opitz, on January 22, 1955. They were married for 67 years until his death on May 20, 2022. Together they provided a loving, welcoming home. Eileen had a special way of making everyone feel seen, heard, loved, and valued. Her kitchen was often filled with conversation, laughter, and ice cream, her favorite treat to share and enjoy.

Beyond her extraordinary love for family and friends, Eileen was a hard-working woman with a career in nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse for 42 years, spending over 30 years at Greenville Hospital. She also worked at Grove City Hospital and Meadville City Hospital. She worked primarily in the OB department, assisting in numerous deliveries of babies from Mercer County. After her time as a nurse, Eileen enjoyed working as a clerk for Braham’s Auctions. Eileen was a member of Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, serving as an Elder and the Head of the Mission Committee. Her heart for missions took her near and far. She traveled on two mission trips to Ecuador to provide medical assistance to communities in need.

Being the community driven woman she was, Eileen never stopped helping those around her, e.g., taking blood pressures at the local drug store monthly and at the local Stoneboro Fair. She also had a passion for collecting used medical equipment so she could lend it to those in need. This helped many members of Sandy Lake and the surrounding communities. Eileen also loved music, playing many instruments and always being ready to carry a tune. Eileen proudly supported her children and grandchildren, always in attendance at special events and concerts and cheering them on at sporting events as their number one fan. She truly loved life and lived it to the fullest. She will be deeply missed as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend; but will be forever remembered for her faith, her kindness, and the love she generously shared.

Eileen is survived by her children, Kathleen (Vince) Ebbert and Gordy (Linda) Opitz; grandchildren Elissa (Kris) Cowgill, Krista (Larry) Craig, Sarah Ebbert, Shawn Ebbert, Kyle Opitz, and Kelley (Ryan) Prentice; great-grandchildren Evelynn, Paxton, McKinley, Dakota, Charley, Grace, and Ella; sisters-in-law Peggy (Bill) Vance and Shirley Opitz, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Eileen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sisters; Anna Louise Braham and Shirley Paxton.

Memorial donations may be made in Eileen’s name to the Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 185, Sandy Lake, PA. 16145 or Lakeview Area Public Library, 3265 South Main Street, Sandy Lake, PA 16145.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to so many people: the caregivers at Quality Life Services of Mercer, AHN Grove City Hospital, Hospice, Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church, and also to the community for always remembering her with visits and cards.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 7 , at 11:00 A.M. at Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church, Sandy Lake, PA.

Online condolences may be made to the family at rosefh.com