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Mari-Rae Sopper Obituary
As a student at Palatine's Fremd High School in the 1980s, she led the girls gymnastics team from doormat to perennial state power. She planned a similar turnaround at the University of California, Santa Barbara, chucking a Washington law career to take the head coaching job even though the program was slated for elimination.
Sopper, 35, was on her way to the school when her plane crashed into the Pentagon.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jill Lowell
September 11, 2023
I received Mari-Rae's name as part of a Victim Remembrance for 9/11 at work. Today I take these moments to honor and celebrate her life. I pray that the God of all comfort blesses her loved ones with the peace of His presence.
Margaret Dean
September 11, 2020
Today is 9-11, 2020. Today came across a bracelet with Mari-Rae Sopper name & AA#77. So strange came across it on the anniversary of her death at a estate sale. God bless to all. Mari-Rae sounded like a very special person.
A.L.
June 18, 2019
I am terribly sorry you died aboard Flight 77. I can imagine your loved ones missing you every day. RIP Mari-Rae.
Cheryl Larson
December 31, 2018
My brother Steve raised his family in the house you grew up in out in Inverness. I often feel your presence thinking this is where you watched TV, had dinner and slept. Also played in the big yard front and back. and Enjoyed the same swimming pool I enjoyed with my nephews all these years. RIP
Cheryl Larson
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Tom H
September 11, 2017
Today, 09/11/2017, we remember you Mari-Rae. We will never forget you. To Mari-Rae's family members .. Share Mari-Rae's spirit thru your everyday life. With much regards.
Newberry
November 17, 2015
I noticed from one of the comments that your birthday was June 19th, which is my wedding anniversary. I loved how you followed your passion, and it inspires me to do the same. My daughter has chosen to leave a high-paying job to follow her love and sometimes takes some ridicule for her decision. I pause today to honor your memory and to pray for a special blessing on your friends and family. We will never forget. Love from Texas
David K.
September 20, 2010
I went to the 9/11 Remembrance in Santa Barbara, ~3,000 US flags on the beach sponsored by the Young America's Founation. I moved to Santa Barbara in 2001.
I found out that day that Mari-Rae was the only official Santa Barbara casualty. At the end of the remembrance, I helped take the flags down.
It was a pretty site for all the tourists and residents and visitors to see all the flags waving in the wind.
marilyn
September 11, 2010
On this anniversary I was given a card with Mari Rae's name on it as a remembrance of lives lost on 9/11. My thoughts and prayers have been with her family and friends all day.
Peggy Childers
September 8, 2009
To the family of Mari-Rae Sopper:
Mari-Rae gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. My deepest sympathy to you. We must never forget!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Doug Abraham
June 19, 2009
Happy Birthday!!!
Doug Abraham
June 19, 2008
Happy Birthday!!!
September 11, 2007
May God be with you this day and always for He loves you so much.
Peace and blessings!
kristine
August 19, 2007
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
July 19, 2007
In memory....
Edward Loss
February 27, 2006
I knew Bill and Marian over 30 years ago. I just found out about this horrible tragedy in February of '06. Know that my thoughts snd prayers are with you and your family.
Ed Loss
Jen S
September 11, 2004
It's sad to think that 3 years ago we lost too many people from a horrable tragedy. I did not know Mari-Rae pesonally. I was a student at UCSB finishing my final year in 2001. I am sure she would have greatly enjoyed Santa Barbara teaching a sport she loved.
My heart goes out to all her family and friends.
Melissa Watts
August 13, 2004
Mari-Rae will always be the center of my memories of September 11, since her sister was a coworker and friend who was with me in the office the day the events unfolded. I'll never forget watching the news that morning with Tia, not knowing that her life would change forever as later events unfolded. Mari-Rae brought this tragedy home to me in a way that will always be personal. The victims were sisters, and daughters, and sons, and children. They won't be forgotten.
Laura G
September 11, 2002
Im a sophmore at St. Agnes Academy in Houston, TX. Today we had a remembrance ceremony in which we recieved bracelets with the name and age of one of the victims of 9/11. I received Mari-Rae's. I am keeping her, and her friends and family in my prayers. Though I never knew her I've read about her, and my heart mourns the loss of a great person. God Bless. I will never forget...we will never forget.
Denise Gannon
September 11, 2002
Our heart and prayers go out to the family of Mari-Rae. To Bill Sopper,
please know that my family has thought of you often in the past year. I also have a bracelet honoring Mari-Rae that I wear. I would be honored to give this to you Bill if you do not have one.
Your friends,
Denise & Dave Gannon
Emily Hunter
Bloomington, Il.
Rolan Logan
August 21, 2002
God Bless the memory of Mari-Rae Sopper...
Kathy Swaringen
May 28, 2002
Today, May 28, 2002, 1 mile was walked to honor the life of Mari-Rae and all the family, friends, and loved ones she left behind. May you find some comfort in knowing that you do not grieve alone.
Mari-Rae, although gone, you will never be forgotten. May your rest in peace.
May 7, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN..MARI-RAE SOPPER AND MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HER LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA..MAY GOD AND HIS ANGELS GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Angie Campbell
April 18, 2002
God Bless you and may you rest in peace.
Leanne Andrews
February 12, 2002
I also wear a silver "Mercy Band" bracelet in honor of Mari-Rae. I would love to know more about her and her family. My thoughts and prayers with all those who knew and loved her.
Teresa Jahn
January 12, 2002
May Mari's determination, life and love live on in you. Our hearts cry with you in your great loss of Mari.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Deborah Mask
November 9, 2001
I wear a silver band every day with Mari-Rae's name on it. I have committed to pray for her family every day, that God will sustain you in these days and in the years ahead. God Bless. Deborah Mask
patricia dominguez
October 23, 2001
My deepest sympathy for your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cookie Dominguez-Blaauw
Donald Rehkopf
October 23, 2001
Mari-Rae was an outstanding attorney, zealous advocate and the consumate professional colleague. She, while just a young attorney, handled a convoluted and complex case in the U.S. Supreme Court in a manner that suggested she'd been doing it for years.
Her loss is felt not only by her colleagues and friends in the Criminal Defense Bar, but by the legal community as a whole.
Don Rehkopf
Attorney at Law
Karen
October 6, 2001
When I first saw Mari-Rae's picture in the paper, chills ran up my spin. I recongnized her. No, I didn't know her. But the picture of her in a gmnastics stance rung a bell, and I knew she'd been around my age.
I too was in gymnastics in high school. Our team was not very good, and we lived for the days we got to go watch the others, during state meets, ect.
Sure enough, Mari-Rae graduated a year before me, and was from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Where we always went to watch the state meets.
May God Bless you all, and may angels carry Mari Rae into heaven with open arms....
BARBARA BOLIN
October 1, 2001
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL.MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
MARI-RAE MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
Steve Larson
September 26, 2001
Our thoughts and prayers are with Marion and Frank Kminek, as well as the Sopper Family.
Steve, Missy, Kevin & Kirk Larson
MAUREEN CLARK
September 21, 2001
I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU.
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