Della Jane Opatrny

Opatrny, Della Jane, September 21, 2011, age 91, of Canton. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Loving mother of James Michael (Gayle) Opatrny and Janet Marie (Jerry) Rojeck. Dear grandmother of Susan (Robert) White, Rob (Cathie) Opatrny, Brian Rojeck, and Steve (Marlo) Rojeck. Dear great grandmother of Olivia and Sophia Opatrny, Tanner and Abby White, and Tristin, Chase and Kathryne Rojeck. Proud step-grandmother to Todd (Melissa) Wilson and Jeff (Jessica) Wilson. Dear step-great grandmother of Samuel, Chris, Ryan and Andrew Wilson. Aunt to Bucky Miller and great aunt to Kelly Rhea and great great aunt to son Joey. Della was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, Mother and Father Elsie and George McGathen, sister Jessie (and the late Bill) Miller, and niece Laurie Miller Regan. Della was born on November 6, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan to George and Elsie (Jarvis) McGathen. George, Della’s father, was a surveyor for the USA on a 1936 exploration of the Colorado River in wooden longboats. Della lived in a number of different places including, Detroit, Walled Lake and Redford, Michigan from 1919-1939; in Cleveland, Ohio from 1939-1978; in North Palm Beach, Florida from 1978-2006; and in Canton, Michigan from 2006-2011. Della graduated from Redford High School in 1937. She married Joseph Opatrny on January 13, 1940 and they were married 44 years until Joseph’s death on April 8, 1984. They had twins James “Jim” and Janet and she devoted much of her time to her children and their activities, including a Cub Scout Den Mother, Certified Water Safety Instructor and member of the PTA. Her hobbies included dancing, swimming, knitting, painting, and she was a world traveler on over 50 cruises. She was a member of the Golden Tappers Senior Women’s Dance Organization in North Palm Beach, Florida, the North Palm Beach Florida Country Club, and the Red Hat Society. She was with the Golden Tappers for over 15 years (in her 70’s and 80’s) where she performed in shows at many hospitals and senior centers. Private family memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 25925 Telegraph Road, Suite 102, Southfield, MI 48033. Her family wants to thank everyone at Waltonwood of Carriage Park Assisted Living in Canton, MI and Odyssey Hospice who provided her loving care and comfort. To share a memory, please use the condolences link on the left hand side of this page.

Della Jane Opatrny

November 6, 1919 - September 21, 2011