Weber appointed to hospice foundation’s board

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation appointed Frederick Weber, retired marketing manager at Microchip Technology Corp., to its governing board.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton is a not-for-profit organization that provides medical, emotional and spiritual services to hospice patients, their families and the community.

Weber was a successful microchip marketing manager for more than 30 years. He grew up in Franklin Square, Long Island, and attended Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus, where he received a master’s degree in marketing.

He entered the semiconductor industry as a production manager before moving into a marketing role, traveling worldwide.

Weber and his wife, Susan, lived in Melville, Long Island with their two children until they retired to Milford, Pa. He is actively involved as a volunteer for GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center, the Pike County Historical Society and Holy Trinity Church.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity to be part of the Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation and be a part of its very important work,” he said.

Director of bereavement

The hospice has promoted Lorri Opitz to director of bereavement at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center in Augusta.

She has been a counselor there for more than 26 years. She is experienced in working with children, teens and adults.

Throughout her time at the center, Opitz has been a guest speaker at churches, hospitals and schools and has presented workshops on “Coping with the Holidays” and “Healing in the Classroom.”

She also has trained bereavement facilitators and hospice volunteers.

She created an innovative thematic Children’s Art Bereavement Program, which is offered several times a year. The program teaches grief concepts in a fun, developmentally appropriate way for children ages 6-12.

Opitz facilitates the Sussex County support groups on the first and third Wednesday of the month as well as the Newton and North Warren High School support groups.

“We are very excited to see Lorri’s passion and experience applied at a leadership level,” said Woody Hungarter, hospice president.

Opitz earned a master’s degree in counseling from Montclair State University in 1997. She is married with four children and two granddaughters.