OBITUARY: Cecilia Yvonne (Jackson) Gavrielle

Cecilia Yvonne (Jackson) Gavrielle, 62, of Pittsfield, Mass., died peacefully Wednesday, August 8, 2012, after a brief illness.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, Mass., on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. Barbara Cohen, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Ahavath Sholom, Great Barrington, Mass., will officiate.

Yvonne was born to Margaret and Everett Jackson on Oct. 11, 1949. She grew up in Harrisburg attending Dorris Heights Grade School, Malan Junior High and Harrisburg High School. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Yvonne relocated to Rye, N.Y., in 1972 and found employment at S&K Sales Corporation in Greenwich, Conn. It was there she met her future husband, Joe Kopper, and there were married for 21 years. During that time, they traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia. They owned and operated The Marble Inn, a bed and breakfast in West Stockbridge, Mass., for 10 years. Yvonne also received a master of arts degree in education from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., in 1990.

Prior to her illness, Yvonne was employed at Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School (BArT) in Adams, Mass., where she taught math and science, and supervised the after-school program.

Besides her parents, Yvonne is survived by four sisters and one brother, Karen Yaris (Jerald) of Deltona, Fla., Rose Cloyd (Scott) of Mt. Dora, Fla., Aaron Jackson (Janie) of Eldorado, Menthia Prather of Harrisburg and Janice Aldridge (Steve) of Harrisburg. She is also survived by three nieces, two nephews, one great-niece and one great-nephew.

Yvonne met many people throughout her life, and was blessed to be surrounded by a multitude of wonderful friends who cared about her deeply. Yvonne's siblings were able to spend quality time with her during the last few months.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

"The Lord make His face shine upon you,

"And be gracious to you;

"The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

"And give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

Donations in Yvonne's name can be made to Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, Mass. 01201 or Hospice Care in The Berkshires, Inc., 877 South Street, Suite 1W, Pittsfield, Mass. 01201.