GREENFIELD
Mary Lou Copeland, long-time resident of Greenfield, Indiana, left this world on Monday, March 13, 2023, to see if there was anyone on the other side that needed her help. She spent her lifetime on this earth happily (usually) taking care of her own six children (seven, counting her husband!) 9 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. She was also glad to get paid, at least a little, to work as an aide for patients in nursing homes, and for many years, at Greenfield Hospital. She especially loved getting to help care for the train of babies that rolled through during her time there.
Born August 25, 1935, in Greenfield, Indiana, she was only away physically for short periods of time, and never in her heart and soul. Her parents, Louisa (Fletcher) and Theodore Cox, had two boys, William Eugene (Billy Gene) and Charles Robert (Bob), followed by Mary Lou. Unfortunately, Mary’s father died when she was only three. Happily, though, she later had a loving step-father, Charles Walker, who was her “Dad” for many years.
Mary Lou married William (Bill) Copeland on November 6, 1953. They quickly, or at least eventually, had six children: Mike, Mark, Michele, Mitch, Matt and Margaret. Man. They are all still roaming around in various parts of the country. Mary Lou and Bill put up with each other until 1981, when she decided she’d had enough of him, and Texas, and returned home to Greenfield. She had been there since.
She worked at Greenfield Hospital until, one day, just for kicks, she went to the Social Security office just to say, “Hi,” and walked out retired. She continued taking care of whoever stopped by her home, for however long they wanted to stay, for many more years. Along the way, she dealt with bad knees and hips, which only slowed her down a little. Unfortunately, what did finally fail her was her memory.
And yet, even as she had more and more trouble remembering things in her recent past, until the very end she remembered her family and friends that had meant so much to her. From Greenfield High School pals (where she was a cheerleader) Glen, Sara Jane, Sugar, Marty, Ann), to sisters-in-law (Donna, Suzie, Margaret, Jean), and later friends (Rose, Carol Lee, Joyce, Margie), she loved and appreciated you all. Thanks to you all for caring about her, and for her.
Mom, we will miss you dearly. Thank you for everything you did for us.
No services are planned, and please don’t bother with flowers. If you’re rolling in cash and can’t be persuaded to hang on to all of it, donations to your favorite charity, or one of the following, seem appropriate.
Alzheimer’s Association, ALZ.org
Dementia Society of America, dementiasociety.org
Hancock Regional Hospital, hancockregionalhospital.org/hrhdonations
