Marian (Nee Kopernik) Davis

Marian Davis, Nee Kopernik, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 29. 2025 Marian was born at home on the hottest day of the year on July 24, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Frank Anthony and Josephine Veronica (Litak) Kopernik. She graduated from Chadsey High School, class of 1951; where she wrote and performed in an Easter stage play and held various lead roles in school drama productions as well as hosted a radio program. She was also amongst the first female cheerleaders on the cheer squad and were required to wear pants! Marian was the beloved twin sister of Christine. The two shared a lifelong bond and were rarely apart. As a dynamic singing duo The Cooper Twins, they performed together in nightclubs across the US and were known for their rendition of “Side by Side” and other classic showtunes from the 40’s and 50’s and even sang in the USO. Their joy and harmony on stage were a reflection of the deep affection they held for each other. She was a strong woman of faith, being involved in the Charismatic renewal of the Catholic Church, she continually relied on the Lord to carry her through life. She was very proud of her Polish heritage: was taught bilingually during grade school at St. Hedwig and attended St. Cunegunda School. School is where she became a logophile. A woman of many talents, Marian had a diverse and vibrant career. She was the youngest manager of the Linda Lee dress shop at the age of 16. She was a professional radio host and managed several home improvement companies in the Detroit area and sold real estate. She loved her stint with the Boy Scouts as an office worker. She owned and managed “Bob’s Liquor Store”. Marian had a strong work ethic and a true passion for people, always bringing energy and warmth to everything she did. Though she had no children of her own, Marian cherished her role as a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephew---Julie, Sandra and Scott---whom she loved as her own. She was a fun, generous and nurturing presence in their lives as a second mother, “Aunty Momma”. She was a lover of animals and had a horse while living in West Virginia. She always kept her dogs in her heart; Pepper, Duke, Daisy, Stranger, Honey, Joey and Rusty. Marian is survived by her sister Christine Zelazny, her nieces Julie (Dale) Piske, Sandra (Daryl) Fitts, Scott (Deborah) Zelazny as well as her grandnieces and nephew, Samantha, Abigail and Charles Fitts. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Frank Kopernik. A visitation will be held on Tuesday June 3, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A scripture service and time for sharing will begin at 2:00 PM. Please visit RJFH.TV if you want to watch her services online. Burial will take place on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery, Dearborn MI at 1:00 PM Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Marian was a special lady to so many and she was so proud to be fiercely independent until the end. Please share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Marian (Nee Kopernik) Davis

July 24, 1934 - May 29, 2025