background image
A Match Made In Heaven
Turning True Love Into a Lasting Legacy
Diana Lynn Copenhaver Memorial Fund
Established to Give Animals a Second Chance
Article by Elizabeth Hale, Photos by Mark Stanley
On a bright summer day, I was graciously welcomed into a
beautiful home in the Atlanta area where, upon entering,
it was readily apparent to the most casual observer that it
was a home of "love" and one where two hearts had truly
lived and loved as "one".
The home of John and Lynn Copenhaver is a warm, loving place -
filled with memories as well as two white balls of fur, fluff and joy known as
"Hubbell" and "Gatsby". Their wagging tails told us we were, indeed, welcome as barks
floated easily through the air!
This is a story of love and of loss, but it is ultimately the story of a wonderful woman who lived life to its
fullest...never looking back, but always looking forward with a smile that lit the world, and a smile her
husband wanted to honor with his decision to establish a Memorial Fund in her name benifitting rescued
animals through Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.
John and Lynn Copenhaver were married for twenty glorious years before death suddenly invaded that
happiness in 2014 and took Lynn out of John's arms, but never from his heart. Lynn died tragically and
unexpectedly in March, 2014 from an aortic aneurism and left this life at the very young age of 58. Her
loss was devastating and left huge holes in so many lives, but none deeper than the loves of her life ­
her loving husband, John, and her two furry children.
But this article is not only about loss, it is truly about the life and legacy of this wonderful woman, and
the tribute to her life, passions and legacy that will live on through the "Diana Lynn Copenhaver
Memorial Rescue Fund".
I was able to sit down with John and have him share with me, and our readers, their love story and why
he has chosen to honor his late wife with this tremendous gifting memorial.
John and Lynn were married in 1994 and lived a life full of love and dedication until her passing. He
graciously shared with me how they met, and how they were "meant to be" from the first moment their
eyes locked upon the other ­ destiny and desire culminated in a perfect union.
"I had just moved to Atlanta in 1993, was living in an apartment and in a dating relationship with a
wonderful lady who was helping me find a home to purchase. As it turns out, she found the perfect home
in Marietta and we went over to look at it. As fate would
have
it, it was the perfect home and I purchased
it. Not long after moving in, I was out one morning and saw this beautiful woman across and up the
street walking her little white fluffy dog (named Rambo and who "adopted" John after he and Lynn were
married) and I thought `WOW! She must be a vision!"