Geraldine "Gerry" Mae Copeland

Geraldine Copeland, 71, beloved wife, mother, and sister, was called to her eternal resting place on December 9, 2018 after a brief battle with breast cancer and related complications. She was born on May 25, 1947 in Billings, MT, to Emile and Olive Weber.

Raised as an "Army Brat," Gerry moved with her family quite a bit, living in Panama and El Paso before settling in Albuquerque. She worked as a bookkeeper and office manager throughout her career, and counted her work colleagues as dear friends. She volunteered actively throughout her life: at her girls' school, Sunday School at church, Girl Scouts, and at her community throughout her life. She particularly loved her work with the 4-H program helping guide youth in leadership and public speaking, and was inducted into the New Mexico State 4-H Hall of Fame. Perhaps her greatest joy was her family: her husband, "Cope," was her dear love since their first "official" date when she was 16. She had a close relationship with her parents throughout their lives, and enjoyed spending time and sharing special memories with her sister, Emy. She loved traveling with and doing different activities with her daughters and grandchildren, and was so very proud of all of them. She'd found joy in reconnecting with cousins and extended family in later years as well. She deeply loved other family and friends. Her wonderful hugs, consideration of others, and kindness are well known to those who spent time with her.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Richard Copeland; sister, Emily Hall; daughters, Kristin Wilton and Barbara Chamberlin; sons-in-law Tom Wilton and John Chamberlin; grandchildren, Allison Wilton, Abigail Wilton, Jordan Wilton, Alexander Chamberlin and Carter Chamberlin.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 27, 2018, 1:00 p.m., at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 4601 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, and a Celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 p.m. Ennichement (interring her ashes) will take place at a later date at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a donation to the State 4-H Program, and the family will identify an appropriate way to apply those funds in memory of Gerry. Checks can be made to the NMSU Foundation, with “4-H - Gerry Copeland” in the memo line, and mailed to State 4-H Office, PO Box 30003 MSC 3AE, Las Cruces, NM 88003.