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Jean Scopinich
Jean Scopinich died peacefully at her home in East Quogue on March 5. She was 74.
Born on August 10, 1950, to Eric and Ellen Peterson, in New Britain, Connecticut, she spent her early years in Wantagh, before returning to Connecticut. She graduated from The Morgan School in Clinton, Connecticut, in 1968, and went on to attend the University of Connecticut.
In 1970, she married Richard “Dicky” Scopinich of Freeport, and together they built a life in East Quogue. In 1976, they joyfully welcomed their daughter, Erica, through adoption.
She worked in various roles throughout her life, including as a teacher’s aide, running a catering business with her niece, Donna, and most recently as a dental assistant for Dr. Matsui in Westhampton Beach.
She was deeply involved in her faith community at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach, where she taught Sunday School and served on the vestry. In 2011, she embarked on a pilgrimage to Tanzania with Carpenter’s Kids, an Episcopal children’s education program. She was also passionate about helping others, volunteering as an ESL teacher for both children and adults.
A lifelong lover of the ocean, she cherished summers spent sailing Peconic Bay with her late husband aboard their boat, Rattlesnake, and winters exploring the Caribbean, particularly Tortola. In later years, she found great joy in traveling the world and sightseeing with her daughter, Erica.
She was predeceased by her husband, Richard “Dicky” Scopinich. She is survived by her daughter, Erica, of Astoria; her sister, Irene Gohery of East Quogue; her brother-in-law Fred Scopinich; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces and dear friends.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach on Saturday, April 12, at 3 p.m., with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Memorial Sloan Kettering (mskcc.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).
Staff Writer on Mar 14, 2025