Published in the July 13, 2018 edition
READING — Priscilla M. (Murch) Copeland, 85, of Reading, and a long time resident of Melrose, died on Monday, June 18, 2018 at Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading with her family by her side.
Priscilla was born on August 17, 1932 in Stoneham to the late Charles Murray and Janie Laura (Gratto) Murch. She was the youngest of three daughters and raised in Everett. As a teenager she worked at the Parlin Memorial Library and graduated from Everett High School in 1950. She began vacationing in Rockport with her family as a young girl, and Rockport would remain one of her favorite places throughout her life.
Another favorite place was Lake Winnipesaukee. She worked and met her future husband, William D. Copeland, Jr. at Geneva Point Camp, an ecumenical church conference center, in Moultonborough, N.H.
After graduating from Boston University with a degree in Commercial Sciences in 1952, Priscilla worked in the Boston office of the Dean Witter brokerage firm.
Priscilla and Bill were married on September 18, 1954. They lived in Framingham before moving to Melrose in 1964. She was a member of the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, attended Couples Club functions, and each year, worked with the members of her Guild Group, making lobster rolls for the Church Fair.
Most important in Priscilla’s life was her family. She and Bill were married for 50 years, raised four children, and did almost everything together. Family road trips on school vacations, Sunday dinners after church, family birthday parties, and big Thanksgiving gatherings were things she looked forward to and worked hard to make happen.
She liked to bake and will be remembered for her well-stocked cookie jar and cookie tins. She was an excellent knitter and made “Grandma Blankets” for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Like her father before her, she was a lifelong Red Sox fan.
One of Priscilla’s proudest achievements was starting a business called Classic Calligraphy in 1992, retiring only when she moved to assisted living in 2015. She loved the work, and with her attention to detail and sharp mind, developed a large and loyal client base.
Priscilla’s quiet strength and intelligence, warm and generous heart, and guiding hand will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren.
Priscilla was the beloved wife of the late William D. Copeland Jr. with whom she shared 50 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Rev. Judith Copeland of Hancock, N.H., Joyce Haskins and her husband William of Bluffton, South Carolina, Joanne Rodgers and her husband David of Montclair, N.J., and David W. Copeland and his wife Kate Demase of Andover. Dear sister of the late Virginia Parsons and her husband Theodore, and the late Janet Murch. Cherished grandmother of Abigail Emerson and her husband Jonathan Simpson, Nathaniel Emerson, John Haskins and his wife Aly, Benjamin Haskins and his wife Kaylen, Janie Haskins, Jessica Haskins, Sara Rodgers, Emily Rodgers, Catherine Rodgers, and Mia Rose Copeland. Proud great-grandmother of Melody Rebel Emerson-Simpson, and Maddox Caine Haskins.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Residence at Pearl Street Activity Fund, c/o The Residence at Pearl Street, 75 Pearl Street, Reading, MA 01867.
Services will be private.
For online tribute or directions: RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
