Margaret Louise "Peg" (McIntyre) Copeland, of Redwood City CA, died peacefully in her home on January 7, 2025 after a long illness. She was 87. She is survived by her husband John Ernest Copeland, son John Richard "Rick" Copeland, daughter Julie Renee (Copeland) Hayashi, sister Deborah (McIntyre) Borges, son-in-law Richard Hayashi, brother-in-law Raymond Borges, and several nieces, nephews, great nephews, and grandchildren. She is predeceased by daughter Jennifer Lynn, brother John Francis McIntyre, and parents Francis McIntyre and Teresa (Baker) McIntyre.

Peg was born in South Bend, IN on April 6, 1937. She grew up in South Bend and enjoyed get-togethers and holidays with her many relatives in the northern Indiana region. She graduated from Riley High School, and met her future husband on a double date with other partners. Their dates left early, and Peg and John got to know each other. They were married on July 20, 1957. The next year, they moved to California, eventually settling in Redwood City. Peg and John were active members at St. Pius Church in Redwood City and in their neighborhood, and had many friends they met through the years. Peg had a variety of interests and was a life-long learner. As a young woman, she worked as a phlebotomist at the local hospital. While raising her children, she held occasional part time jobs, including circuit board assembly; later, she was the bookkeeper of a small business. After her children were grown, she returned to school for a certification in child care. For more than fifteen years, she worked at The Children's Pre-School Center in Palo Alto, CA. She loved her job and the children in her care, mostly two and three year olds. The parents loved how their children responded to Peg. Many maintained contact as their children grew older, sending letters and Christmas cards for many years. She was a big Notre Dame fan, from growing up in South Bend and seeing her father and cousin work there. When she could no longer attend mass at St. Pius personally, she would watch the Sunday service online. Peg loved her gardens. All of her plants, both indoors and out, thrived under her attention. She enjoyed cooking for family and neighborhood get-togethers, and especially liked the Christmas holiday, her house overflowing with decorations and cheer and music. She had a knack for giving presents that were exactly what the recipient needed or wanted, even if they didn't realize it until they opened it.

Her family and friends will miss her spirit and generosity and her ability to listen compassionately. She faced life's inevitable challenges with steadiness and determination to not just endure, but to make things better. In that, she was an inspiration to us all.

A service will be held on March 24, 2025 at 11:00am at St. Pius Church in Redwood City, with a reception to follow. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the American Heart Association.