Jean Ann Koepke, age 83. of Hamden, passed away August 22, 2022. Born in Eastbourne, England on September 11, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Albert William Herd and Sylvia Jean Patrick (Reddick) Herd Warner. Jean was the widow of Edward Richard Koepke. She is survived by her daughter Cindy Koepke and her fiancée Robert Merk; her brother Edward Warner; niece Jessica; cousin Deborah Forte; numerous other nieces and nephews; and very best friend Susan Aprea. Jean was predeceased by her sisters, Roberta Piscitelle and Victoria Bartone. Jean lived most of her life in Hamden. Family, especially her daughter whom she was best friends with, was the most important thing in her life. She volunteered for many years at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She always had a passion for animal rescue, which was one of her qualities that made people love her. She spent most of her adult life taking care of cats and dogs that people no longer wanted. She was a poodle groomer for many years and raised several championship dogs. She loved bowling and for many years developed very close friendships with her team, which she thought of as family.
Family and friends may attend her Memorial Service on Saturday, Oct. 1st at 10:00 a.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will be private. Contributions in Jean's memory may be made to Our Companions Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 956, Manchester, CT 06045.