Carolyn Varin Copeland

Carolyn V. Copeland passed away peacefully in her own home on 1/23/2021 after a remarkable 103 years of life. She was born Carolyn Ann Varin in Indianapolis, Indiana on 9/30/1917 where she lived her formative and college years. She graduated from Butler University in 1939 with a BA (magna cum laude), and one year later received her MA from Butler. In 1948 she married the love of her life, William Copeland Sr, and after Bill finished his medical training in Ob-Gyn moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1953. Carolyn immersed herself in the community, at the same time rearing three sons who all became physicians. She was an avid amateur golfer who won the Indiana State Women's golf championship in 1941 and carried her love of golf into years of competition at Scioto Country Club. In addition to her lifelong dedication to Kappa Kappa Gamma, she was a member of First Community Church and Group Y. She was a member of Childhood League, an active participant at the Columbus Museum of Art and numerous other local charities. Besides her golfing exploits, she was an ardent reader and loved to travel. Summers were spent vacationing on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, and in her latter years she spent hours walking the beaches of Sanibel Island in Florida, shelling and birding. She felt fortunate to share trips with family and friends both domestically and internationally, always embracing each new learning experience. And, of course, she was forever a fan of Buckeye football and basketball.

Her passion for life and love of her family will be reflected in generations to come.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Lelia Varin of Indianapolis, and her sister Barbara Priest, her husband William Copeland Sr., and her son William Copeland Jr., all of Columbus. She is survived by her son Christopher Copeland of Columbus, Stephen Copeland of Winston Salem, daughters in law Constance Copeland and Valerie Copeland of Columbus, and Karen Copeland of Winston Salem; grandchildren Matthew Copeland (Michelle), Darcy (Copeland,) Jalandoni, Matthew Jalandoni, Samantha (Copeland) Shively, Andrew Shively, all of Columbus. Aaron Copeland (Laura) of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Lauren (Copeland) Price, Nate Price of Cincinnati, and Carson, Harrison, and Addison Copeland, all of Winston Salem North Carolina; and seven great grandchildren.

A private graveside family service will be held for the family at Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the William Copeland Jr. MD Endowment for Pancreatic Cancer Research James Development, C/O OSU Foundation, PO Box 710811, Columbus, Ohio 43271-0811.