Myrle C. Copeland

Myrle C. (Pankopf) Copeland, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Spring Village at Dover in Dover, New Hampshire, at age 98.

Myrle was born in Stoneham on September 19, 1926, one of two children of the late Arthur Pankopf and Louise (Gramstorff) Pankopf. Raised in Everett and Melrose, she graduated from Melrose High School. At a dance in Everett, she accepted an invitation to dance from a young Navy man, Bill Copeland.  They continued to correspond during the war, and were married 10 months after he was discharged, on September 8, 1946. Myrle and Bill settled in Melrose to raise a family of four children and continued their mutual love for each other and for dancing throughout their 71 years of marriage.

Myrle was a true homemaker with her warm smile and steadfast devotion to her family. She found joy in baking delicious food for her young family often with a fresh loaf of bread warming in the oven, or nightly homemade desserts for after dinner. Friends and family knew to find Myrle in the kitchen cooking delicious baked goods for all to enjoy.

Myrle and Bill along with their daughter Dianne and husband Gene purchased a family camping area in 1977 at Keoka Beach in South Waterford, Maine which they owned and operated for approximately 10 years. Myrle was also a longtime active and dedicated member of the First Congregational Church in Melrose where her famous loaves of bread were a highlight of the annual Christmas Fair for decades.

In her free time, she and Bill were well known and admired for their love of dancing, especially the jitterbug, square dancing and notably ballroom dancing. They enjoyed dancing together with the Yankee Twirlers Club, local big bands in the Boston area, and ballroom danced competitively for several years. If there was a dance floor, Myrle and Bill were often the highlight, dancing together or inspiring others to join them.

As the well-loved family matriarch, Myrle was a quiet presence, often in the background, putting others needs before her own, and finding joy in helping her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She prioritized her family whether attending sporting events for her grandchildren, or offering herself to watch the newest generation of grandchildren, always with her well known and loving smile on her face.

She will be deeply missed, but her legacy of selfless love for family, and quiet enduring strength will carry on in the hearts and minds of her family. May she rest in peace.

Myrle was the beloved wife of the late William H. Copeland with whom she shared 71 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Dianne Bailot and her late husband Gene of Lebanon, ME, Chris Copeland and his wife Diane of Methuen, Karen Paonessa and her husband Joseph of Chelmsford, and Amy Copeland-Potamis and her husband Greg of Melrose. Dear sister of the late Arthur Pankopf. Cherished grandmother of Kimberly Chin and her husband Bandy, Samantha Colby and her husband Aaron, Matthew Copeland and his wife Lammie, Jessica Copeland, Melissa Copeland, Allyson Wallace and her husband Jay, Amanda Sapienza and her husband Mike, Joshua Potamis and his wife Wendy D’Agata-Potamis, Nicholas Potamis and his wife Dominque Kelly-Potamis, and Kassandra Potamis. Loving great-grandmother of Kelsey, Kyleigh, Aidan, Madison, Parker, Ellie, Isabelle, Charlotte, Emma, Olivia, AJ, Will, Laura, and Evander.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to gather during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 4-7pm, and again for her Funeral Service celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 10am. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.

Gifts in Myrle’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada St, Ste 201, Newton, MA 02460 www.alz.org