Louise Pretlow Coward Kopecky, lovingly known as "Pret," passed away on November 10, 2024, while visiting extended family in Prague. Her passing was due to complications from COPD. A true Southern belle with a vibrant spirit, Pret was known for her strength, love, laughter, and unwavering faith. For the past 28 years, she made her home in Richmond, VA, where her presence touched many lives.

Pret was the eldest of three children born to Bill and Louise (William Jackman Coward Jr & Louise Holland Coward) and spent her first years in Franklin, VA. Her family moved on to Greenville, SC where she would reside until attending Mary Baldwin College and graduating in 1966.

After college, Pret moved to Washington, DC where she sparked a new adventurous life in this monumental city. She especially treasured living at Waterside Drive with a revolving door of girlfriends from college and beyond as they navigated their future together among laughter, heartaches and forever friendships.

Pret became an Administrative Editor at US News and World Report magazine where she exceled in the fast pace of a news organization. When the company reorganized, she took her exit and embarked on a grand European tour where she met the love of her life, her husband, Jan Kopecky. They lived in Lucerne Switzerland for 8 years where her door was always open to visitors near and far. When Jan retired, they returned to her beloved Virginia and settled in Richmond close to family.  Pret and Jan were married for 36 years.

Pret's cottage at the Rivah (Northern Neck Virginia) was her sanctuary. It was a small but joyful place where good times flourished and it was constantly overflowing with games of dominoes, Fourth of July Fireworks, seafood feasts and friendship reunions.

Pret loved Christmastide and her tree reflected ornaments from her travels all over the world. She adored her many rescue pups. She was a member of St Stephens Church and a lifelong Episcopalian.

Pret is preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Jack and Cindi (William Jackman Coward, III & Cynthia Marks Coward). She is survived by her husband Jan Kopecky, her sister Caroline Kruger, her niece Hollie Muscio (Sean), nephew Billy Coward (Anne), niece Yancey Travassos (Alan), great nieces and nephews, Gracelyn, Jackman, Caroline and James; stepdaughters Aline and Anja.

A service of remembrance will be held on December 9th at 11:00 am at St Stephan's Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA. And live streamed at https://ststephensrva.org/memorial-stream/#

Gifts of thanks and appreciation for Pret's life are welcomed at the Episcopal Relief and Development https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ or to a charity of your choosing.