i i i a wa ai bs. ASL. 2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 11, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star A young woman murdered last week while on her way to work in Bowmanville was well known in the Blackstock and Port Perry areas, where she lived and attended school for several years, Friends and co-workers of Jennifer Copithorn were numb with shock, horror and disbelief when they heard of the death of the 24-year old who had so much going for her, and such a sparkling future. "She was one of the special ones, one of the best in the world, the kind of person you would be proud to have as a daughter," said Don Mitchell, owner of Pizza Delight restaurant in Port Perry, where Jennifer worked for several years. In fact, she was among the first employees Mr. Mitchell hired when he first opened the restaurant nine years ago. He described her as "very bright", and an excellent worker who got along famously with other staff and customers. Just a couple of weeks before her death, Jennifer had applied to work at Pizza Delight again as a waitress and Mr. Mitchell said he "hired her on the spot." Her last shift at the restaurant was on Sunday evening, Aug. 2, two days before she was killed. She wanted to go back to work part-time at the restaurant to help pay off her stu- dent loan, and to put some money aside to travel to Australia next year. Mr. Mitchell's daughter, also named Jennifer, described her as "a great person -- smart, pretty, funny and very nice." The two are just about the same age and worked together at the restaurant every weekend. Ms Mitchell said Jennifer had "such a bright future ahead of her. She already had one degree, and was accepted at a teacher's college in Australia." - Jennifer lived in Blackstock for six years and attended 'Cartwright Central School, and then Grades 9 and 10 at Port Perry High School before her family moved to Oshawa. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Trent University in Peterborough with a major in English and a minor in anthropology. April Brown, Jennifer's closest friend, said the two were making plans to travel to Africa, perhaps next year. de & Jennifer Copithorn: 24-year-old was murdered last week in Bowmanville. April and Jennifer had been friends since Grade 4, and both enjoyed writing poetry. In fact, April wrote a poem in memory of her friend and read it at the funeral Saturday in Oshawa. She described Jennifer as an outgoing person, always friendly and smiling with a wide variety of interests like travel, music and writing. And she had a sense of adven- ture as well, trying bungee jumping, parachuting and white water rafting. She had also taken. flying lessons, and hoped some day to get her pilot's licence. "My heart is just sick about what happened," said Ms Brown. She greatly enjoyed music, especially alternative Scugog remembers a friend Murder of popular former resident Jennifer Copithorn sparks grief, disbelief rock, and her favorite group was The Cure. She liked The Cure so much she had a small tattoo on her back of the group's name in Chinese lettering. Jennifer lost her life just after 8 o'clock in the morning Aug. 4 when she was attacked and stabbed by a man outside the downtown Bowmanville trust company office where she worked as a teller. A short while later Durham Police arrested 28-year- old Rob Appleton of Oshawa and charged him with first degree murder. She is survived by her parents, Glenn and Brenda, and her 20-year old brother Ryan. Her parents had been out of the country last week on vacation to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. All those who spoke to the Star about Jennifer said she was "very special in so many ways." This is April Brown's poem, which she read at Jennifer's funeral: A friend is someone who's always there A friend walks in when no one else seems to care Someone to share my deepest secrets, Someone to share my deepest regrets, A friend to call in the middle of the night, To talk about nothing and know everything's all right. Someone who can brighten the day with an unforget- table grin. Nothing seems impossible when I have my friend. There is nothing we haven't done or would not do, She is a friend in my heart who will always be true. I wake up now with this emptiness inside, The feeling that my best friend has died. I pray that she's OK and not alone God has the sweetest angel anyone could ever know. I won't say goodbye, I don't even want to cry I know my best friend will always be alive. Through the things she did each and every day Through things she'd laugh about and things she'd say, There is no one who knows her that she hasn't touched I'm going to miss my best friend oh so very much. So with this final thought I just have to say She'll be with me and in my heart forever until my last living day. I love you, Jen. Port Perry and Area BIG TYPE PHONE BOOK Coming this Fall! For advertising information, please call Deborah Tiffin at The Port Perry Star 985-7383 Tall *Free Bla} PIZZA & SUBS Healthwise Clinic Please join us at our upcoming Clinic to learn more about NUTRITION Thursday, August 13th, 1998 From 2pm to 7pm at REID'S INDEPENDENT 1893 Scugog St., Port Perry 985-3308 Ifyou wish to make an appointment, please stop by the Pharmacy or call in advance. PINERIDGE HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICES INC. PRIVATE, PERSONALIZED HOME HEALTH CARE Nursing Care: Geriatric Senior Care at Home: Hospital, Nursing or Retirement Home Care: New Mons Home Support & Household Care. 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