Viola Vopal, a resident of Simi Valley for the past 55 years, passed away Friday, May 10, 2019, at the age of 94. Viola (Vi), the youngest of four children, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 8, 1925. After graduating from John Adams High School, she worked as a lab assistant, and then as a key punch operator in downtown Cleveland businesses.
She met her future husband, Jack, on her seventeenth birthday, and they married in 1949. Together, Jack and Vi built their first house in Moreland Hills, Ohio, and started their family. After moving their family to Simi Valley, CA in 1964, Vi obtained her real state license along with her sister, Helen. She actively worked as a part-time agent for the next 25 year, where she made many lifelong friends. One of her greatest pleasures was shopping and cooking for her family and friends. She had a generous and caring heart, and food was one of her ways of showing her love.
Upon their retirement, Vi and her husband enjoyed taking care of their grandchildren and traveling. They often took along their children and grandchildren. Along with her husband Jack, Vi was a founding member of the Simi Valley Family YMCA.
She is survived by her immediate family members, her daughter, Cindy; son-in-law, Karl; grandchildren,
Lindsay and Ryan. Her nieces Piar and Christine; nephews, Dennis, Allan, and Bryan; great nieces Haley and Anne; great nephew, Ashton, and many other loving relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Jack Vopal and their son, Jeffrey Vopal.
There will be a visitation Thursday, May 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. with rosary starting at 7 p.m. at Reardon
Simi Valley Funeral Home. The Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m.
at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley, with interment to follow immediately following at San Fernando Mission Cemetery. There will be a reception following interment.
If willing, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Viola’s memory to the Simi Valley Family YMCA.