Rebecca Paris
Age - 51
November 22, 2023
Paris, Rebecca "Inja" Ann Arbor, MI Age 51, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023, of complications related to a brain aneurysm suffered in 2010, at home with her loving family by her side. Born on February 11, 1972, in Seoul, Korea, she was adopted as an infant by her parents, John and Elinor (Young) Paris, while the family was stationed in Korea. Abandoned as a baby at an orphanage, she had been born with a major heart defect considered terminal by doctors. Despite the pessimistic diagnosis, the family returned with her to the United States, where she responded beautifully to open heart surgery and grew strong. She enjoyed a happy childhood with many friends. As a teenager, Inja channeled her artistic abilities through dancing, singing, modeling, and scouting. She graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School in Ballston Lake, New York in 1992. In her twenties, she thrived as a preschool teacher, moving to Colorado to marry her high school sweetheart and realizing her dream of being a mother. She gave birth to two boys and a girl (finally) and thoroughly enjoyed her days with them. Paints, music, messy crafts and elaborate birthday parties were the norm. She poured her love into her children who filled her with joy. But she also enjoyed relaxing with her friends, owned at least 30 bikinis and 25 little black dresses, and knew how to enjoy a tasty margarita. In 2010, when her children were still small, Inja suffered a catastrophic brain aneurysm and for the second time in her life doctors reported that she would not survive, and, again, she defied all odds: waking, walking, talking, relearning the basic tasks. Her life circumstances were forever altered, however, and she began a new life with her sister in Michigan. The Kopacz family had the privilege of folding her into their large and boisterous family and loving her in their home from 2013 until her death. She became part of the family, and her nieces became more like her sisters. Inja loved telling stories about her children and singing about margaritas (some things never change). She loved talking to people; and her hilarious stories kept everyone laughing and filled us with joy. Her life was gentle and filled with warm cups of tea, playing with her grand nephew and nieces, spending time with her friends at Just Us Club, and journaling on her iPad. She had the gift of making people feel welcome and special - she enjoyed talking with everyone, even strangers - who were just friends she hadn't met yet. She prayed for her children daily and came to love Jesus in the Eucharist. Her life was a gift to all who knew her. We will forever be changed. Inja is survived by her father John (Janis) Paris of Boynton Beach, Florida; three children: Connor, Jack, and Nona Stephenson of Loveland, Colorado; three sisters: Amy (Joseph) Kopacz of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Cynthia (Andrew) Laas of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Kathleen Paris of Costa Rica; nieces and nephews: Emily (Kevin) Regan, Sarah (Ryan) Wensley, Jonathan, Rachel, Charlotte, Lydia, and Elinor Kopacz, and Bridget and Jacob Laas; great nieces and nephews, Michael, Lucy, and Jack Wensley, and Ava Regan. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Elinor. Visitation will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church on Sunday, November 26th from 5-8pm with a Rosary at 6:30. The funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church on Monday, November 27th at 11am, with an hour of visitation before. Memorial contributions may be made to Just Us Club, a non-profit organization in Ann Arbor, Michigan which provides programming and respite care for special-needs adults. Contributions can be mailed to: Just Us Club PO Box 2688 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106Show more
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