Mary Ellen Truesdell Copeland of Sylmar, CA passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the age of 99.
A celebration of life will be at 1 P.M., March 1, 2024 at Panorama Presbyterian Church, 14201 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City, CA 91402 Rev. Dr. Darren Pollock will officiate and reception to follow at the church. Cremation burial will be in Warsaw, NY at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to family to be designated at a later date.
Mary Ellen, daughter of Zina and Flora Belle (Dunn) Truesdell, was born in Warsaw, NY, on December 17, 1924. After high school graduation Mary Ellen followed the same path of her parents in the Medical field. Her father was the practicing physician in Warsaw and her mother was a registered nurse. Mary Ellen earned her nursing credentials, RN and PHN, while attending the University of Buffalo with clinicals at Buffalo Children’s Hospital. With relocation to California, Mary Ellen served in the Cadet Nursing Corps and later working in various San Fernando hospitals, then completing her career as a visiting nurse.
Education was important to Mary Ellen as she earned an Associates of Arts degree from Mission College of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts from California State University in Northridge, California.
Mary Ellen married Alexander M. Hamilton and had her son, Gordon J. Hamilton. Her second marriage to Clayton Reed, added three stepsons, Bruce, Gary and Brian Reed. Much later in life, Mary Ellen married Gerald Copeland.
Mary Ellen had many organizational affiliations. Some of which include, Daughter’s of American Revolution and serving as San Fernando Valley Chapter Regent, Mayflower Dames, Order of Eastern Star, San Fernando Valley Historical Society to name a few.
Mary Ellen had a deep love of her Country and patriotism was shown with her involvement with United States Marine reunions and a lengthy history of volunteering at the veterans hospitals.
Traveling to all parts of the World and locating distant relatives through her genealogy research were of great interest. Her faith in God was strong with her church affiliation, pray groups and Bible Study.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Gordon (Roberta) Hamilton, Stepson, Brian (Paula) Reed, and daughter in-law Susan Reed, also her grand children that brought her great joy. Nathan (Kimberly) Hamilton, Ashley (Brandon Wiebke) Hamilton, Erin Reed, Christopher Reed and Kyle (Natalie) Reed. Mary Ellen also was blessed with three great grandkids, Chloe, Giles and Eleanor.
Her life included Amelia and Luis Beltran and family that were friends and caregivers that enabled Mary Ellen to remain in her home that she lived in for 68 years.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, John Truesdell, her husbands and stepsons, Bruce Reed and Gary Reed.