Methuen - Methuen - AnnMarie Elizabeth (Kopacz) Meile, daughter of the late Marilyn and Raymond Kopacz, died surrounded by loving family after a courageous battle with Life. Raised in Holy Trinity Church/School, Lawrence High School, and Turn Hall, she was the dedicated eldest of seven children, and was instrumental in raising them.

She later lived in Methuen and was an involved and devoted mother to two beloved children, Teresa and Andrea. She was active at Oakland Ave school and St. Monica's Parish. Every holiday became special with her delicious cooking, thoughtfulness, and warm smile.

In the 70s-80s, her deep passions for reading and genealogy converged at the Nevins Memorial Library, where she and her children spent countless hours. Later, her most treasured and proud job was as a Library Assistant there, where colleagues became dear friends. Pre-internet era, AnnMarie was instrumental in the setup and conversion of their manual systems to digital data, impacting 50k catalogued items, 12k patrons, and fueling a new passion for computer science.

She also worked at Methuen Public Schools, the IRS, CBCInnovis, MA Board of Library Commissioners, and MA Division of Employment.

In later life, she moved to NJ to be near her family, including her sister, Ramona and brother-in-law, Jim. Their love and dedication through eight years living in their home as well as another 10 spent in nearby assisted living facilities cannot be understated.

AnnMarie/Nana Ame, a doting mother/grandmother, beamed when others entered a room. She spent countless hours guiding her children and grandchildren through the ups and downs of life. Just by being herself, she exemplified what it meant to be hard-working, empathetic, and caring. Her love for family was generous, unbounded, and deeply felt.

In her final weeks, she was cared for by dedicated staff at Villa Marie Claire hospice. AnnMarie's last act of generosity will extend far into the future, as a proud donor to the global research of the NIH Brain and Tissue Repository.

AnnMarie is survived by her cherished and admiring daughter, Teresa (Meile) Bailey of NJ, dedicated son-in-law Arthur, and adoring grandchildren, Olivia and Samuel. She was very close with her beloved siblings and their spouses, Jacqueline (Kopacz) Dow Chamberlain of MA; Catherine (Kopacz) and John Sambataro of FL; Ramona and James Kopacz of NJ; Andrew Kopacz of FL; Mark and Renae Kopacz of IL; and Richard and Rhonda Kopacz of MA. Also survived by dearest lifelong friend, Jo-Ann Huddleston of MA; paternal great-aunt, Theresa (Pendak) Uttley; maternal aunt, Roberta (Gamble) Schneider; former husband and childhood friend, Michael Meile of Lawrence and FL; and former son-in-law Russell Cushing of FL. Countless cousins, nieces, nephews and god-children will miss their kind-hearted, smart, and loving AnnMarie/Aunt Ame. Predeceased by her beloved daughter, Andrea (Meile) Cushing of FL; loving parents Marilyn (Schneider) and Raymond Kopacz; and cherished grandparents, Herman and Mary (Kelly) Schneider as well as John and Lottie (Pendak) Kopacz.

Memorial donations may be sent to www.nevinslibrary.org to www.solvecfs.org or to the hospice at www.villamarieclaire.org. Condolences or photos may be posted at www.kimakfuneralhome.net.

Celebration of Life on Friday, July 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. Service on Saturday, July 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Shrine, 28 Union St., Lawrence.