Karen A. (Zorn) Copetas

Karen A. (Zorn) Copetas, age 78, passed away peacefully at CareOne in Concord, MA on Thursday, July 24, 2025. She excelled at wink-and-nod humor, sarcasm, and never hesitated in forthrightness. Karen never shied away from trying to get a laugh out of people, whether it be at home, at work, or anywhere else life took her. And resolve? She had that in spades - a two-time survivor of breast cancer, and a work ethic as good as any. For years, she worked an overnight shift to support her daughter’s figure skating career, while managing a family at home by day. If you were close with her, she was as loyal as they come.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1947, Karen settled in Sterling, MA at a very young age, where she grew up. She was a 1965 graduate of Wachusett Regional High School, after which she moved onto hairdressing school, where her friend and fellow Wachusett classmate Monica Lloyd joined her, and the two maintained a longstanding friendship, right up until the last two years of Karen’s life, with Monica sending much appreciated cards and letters to Karen.

Karen was the daughter of the late Melvin and Grace (Francis) Zorn, both of whom clearly passed the humor gene to her, in their own unique ways. Not long after high school, Karen was walking with a friend on High Street in Clinton, when she met her future husband, Dean Copetas. They married on September 2, 1967, and after a few years in Clinton, they settled in Lancaster, MA in 1975, where they lived for the next 27 years. During that time, Karen worked in real estate for Aberman Realty in Lancaster, as a fleet manager at NEC in Boxborough, and then at several more corporations in the area. In 2002, Karen and Dean moved to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where they loved boating on Lake Winnipesaukee, and spending time with family and friends. During that time, Karen worked as an office manager at the Martin, Lord and Osman Law Office in Laconia, NH.

In addition to time on the lake, Karen loved animals, especially her dogs through the years. She made a mean pepperoni bread and a very memorable and delicious blueberry cake, both time-honored traditions. She appreciated well-crafted rock music from the ‘70s and ‘80s, ranging from Bob Seger to Journey to AC/DC. Some would say she was the life of the party.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Cari-Lynn Mackie of Maynard, MA; her son, Jeffrey D. Copetas and his wife Stephanie Bing of Maynard, MA; her sister Diane Lucht of Holly Springs, NC; and her beloved grandchildren, Cameron and Olivia Mackie and Nathan and Zachary Copetas, along with several nieces and nephews. Karen was predeceased by her brothers Karl and Donald Zorn, both of whom also acquired that unique Zorn humor gene.

Karen will be interred at the V.A. Cemetery in Bourne, MA, right next to her husband Dean. Service details are still being worked out. Gifts in her memory can be sent to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) by clicking this link or sending a check to: ASPCA

PO Box 96929

Washington, DC 20090-6929