Gertrude ''Trudy'' Copeland

Gertrude “Trudy” M. Copeland of Edgewood died of malignant melanoma November 22 at Upper Chesapeake in Bel Air. She was 78.

Born in Vienna, Austria, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Viktoria Mucha.

A resident of Harford County since 1968, she was a member of the Edgewood Arsenal Chapel where she enjoyed singing in the choir for over 30 years. She was also active in supporting the soldiers in any way she could, having been an army wife herself for many years.

Her interest in music began as a child in Vienna, where she was trained as an opera singer and a classical pianist. After marriage, she elected to be a homemaker, a vocation in which she excelled. She was a very devoted wife and mother, her family members said. She also enjoyed spending time with friends, eating out, shopping, fashion, swimming, dancing, animals, collecting jewelry and watching T.V. She loved to travel all her life, and in the last several years took trips with family to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida and New York City.

She is survived by her husband, Master Sergeant (Retired) Harry W. Copeland, to whom she was married for over 50 years. She is also survived by a daughter, Vivian S. Copeland of Bel Air; a grandson, Kyle Copeland Polasko of Bel Air; and two sons-in-law, Keith J. Polasko of Bel Air and Joseph Ryckis of Joppa. She was preceded in death by daughter, Viktoria Copeland Ryckis and one brother, Walter Mucha.

Those who desire may contribute to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 572, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.