The tragic and touching story of Elizabeth Kopple and her son Henry serves as a reminder of the unexpected turns life may take.
The milestone of sending a kid off to college should be one of excitement and anticipation, but for Elizabeth and her family, it was one of sadness and great loss. We are so sorry to inform you that Henry passed away.
What Did Elizabeth Kopple Henry’s Mother Say About His Death?
Elizabeth Kopple opens up about her son’s death. She said that her husband Chuck and she sent their 18-year-old son Henry off to college in the summer of 2022.
To get there, he would have to overcome many obstacles including anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and trouble forming relationships with other children. He participated in debate, acting and cross-country running as he aged to gain confidence.
He cultivated relationships with his peers by speaking less and listening more. He took a plane to college, leaving behind youth organizations, summer jobs and high school pals.
Academically speaking, he was prepared and he had even won a merit award. Elizabeth saw Henry on campus a week later for orientation after Henry arrived on the nameless college campus earlier than most to go on a hike with a few new classmates.
Henry introduced his mother to some new mates and the group even shared a meal in the cafeteria. A few days later, Elizabeth had to take a flight home because the traditional period of sending one’s oldest kid off to college was over. Elizabeth wrote:
“I placed my hands around Henry’s middle, pressed my right cheek to his chest, closed my eyes and squeezed, At that moment, I was embracing every version of my son: chunky baby, curious toddler, zany seventh grader in braces, hungry teenager, all the rest I knew and had known. After one final hug — Henry’s signature move — I left for the airport.”
Henry was killed beneath a collapsed unsafe structure a few days later, on his first day of lessons. There were two more injured students. She said:
“The middle of my chest starts to ache, the way it does when something terrible might happen. But it already has. I’ll never again feel my arms around my son’s broad shoulders. There is so much. It’s too much, In my mind, I’m still planning for parents’ weekend, Thanksgiving, sending his winter clothes and on and on and on.”
Elizabeth has worked hard the past year to get her family over the devastating loss, especially Henry’s younger brother. She did say, however, “I’m still living, but at a lower volume.” She wrote:
“Our family has spent these months as a close-knit unit, seeking therapy, attending loss groups, and passing time with loved ones. Acquaintances reveal tragedies from their pasts, and I’m more attuned to the sadness of strangers.”
“I’ve connected with over a dozen grieving parents in my support groups, each with a heart-wrenching story. We understand and accept each other’s losses in a way no one else can.”
After receiving bereavement therapy, Elizabeth’s other boy, who is the only living child is now prepared to enroll in college. The Kopple family home is more than 2,000 miles away from the school he chose, which is in Washington, D.C.
Elizabeth and her husband, Chuck, decided to sublet a professor’s home in order to relocate to Washington, D.C., so they could be near their second kid. She said of her younger son:
“We gave him the chance to say no, He’s not thrilled by the idea, but he agreed, as long as we keep our distance. He may recognize how important this is for our mental well-being.”
We covered the obituary of Kenneth Peacock, if you want to know how he died you can check out our below post:
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