Cecilia Ann Scopel, 71, of Portage, IN, died Saturday, March 10 at Adams Place Rehabilitation Center, Murfreesboro, TN. She was born to the late Frank and Helen (Kozub) Michalik, September 14, 1940, in Chicago, IL. She attended Lourdes Catholic High School and graduated from David Farragut High School in 1958, then went on to attend Morton College in Cicero, IL and began working at Sears, Roebuck and Companys flagship store at Homan and Arthington Avenues in Chicago. Cecilia grew up on Christiana Avenue, later moving with her parents and siblings to Kedvale Avenue in the Southside of Chicagos Lawndale/Little Village area. One of her favorite indulgences as a young person was spending almost every summer Sunday at the Chicago Lake Michigan beachfront, returning home only when the sun went down. She was a fashionable working woman who not only had a great family, but childhood friends that she remained in contact with throughout her life. She lived in Somerset, NJ from 1976 through 2005 and while there worked in the St. Peters School of Nursing Library, Union Carbide and eventually retiring from a long career as an environmental regulations administrator with AT&T. She was always an avid reader, a gift she shared with her family, and volunteered at the Franklin Township Public Library. Cecilia was an avid animal lover and left behind her two beagles, Tucker and Bonnie, who are being well taken care of in loving homes. She was involved in her community of Ogden Dunes, IN, was known for her beautiful gardens, was a good friend, volunteered with her local Meals on Wheels, became a certified Master Gardener, helped in beautification of the Duneland National Forest and Lakefront and loved to share her gardens with others. So many will see her legacy continue because of the time she took to share so many of her plantings. She was an active woman who liked hiking and biking and long walks with her dogs. She loved nature, animals, her family, grandkids and granddogs, her siblings and giving to others. She enjoyed bird watching, even though it meant a constant battle of fending off her bird feeders from squirrels and deer. She had a very low keyed nature, though she was feisty and free willed and had a great sense of humor. Cecilia is survived by two children, David (Lynn) Scopel of New Jersey; Tracy (Dr. Martin) Toy of Tennessee; three grandchildren, Jaclyn, Brian and Andrew of New Jersey; siblings, Buddy (Carol) Michalik of Illinois; Cynthy (Buddy) Starosta of Illinois; Chris (John) Perusich of Illinois; Kim (Chino) Torres of Indiana. She is also survived by three nieces and four nephews; six great-nephews and two great-nieces. A special thank you to Adams Place and Alive Hospice and Palliative Care for all of their caring and compassion. Private family services. A future celebration of Cecilias life will take place in Ogden Dunes, IN. Memorials can be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Indiana at www.millercritters.net.