Mary Ellen Symmonds Coppock

July 27, 1926 - March 2, 2024 Davis

Mary Eleanor Symmonds Coppock (aka Ellen) died on Saturday, March 2, 2024. She was 97 years old. Born in Glendale, CA on July 27, 1926, she went to school in Glendale, then graduated from UC Berkeley in 1948. She met her husband, Raymond Coppock through family ties well before college, but they became engaged when they were both at Cal. They settled in Madera, CA where they had their first son, Stanley. They moved to Merced where son David was born. In 1956 they moved to Davis where daughter Susan was born. After raising her children, Ellen went back to school to earn a teaching credential and taught in Davis elementary schools for 18 years. She enjoyed traveling, watercolor painting, and hiking with family and friends. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis played a major role in her life. She and Ray were among the earliest members, and she had been an active member for over 60 years. She served in many capacities at the church, including Board President. In 2006, she and Ray moved into the Glacier Circle Senior Community, the first senior co-housing project in the United States. Ellen, Ray and a group of close Davis friends developed the idea and saw it through to completion. Ellen was preceded in death by her husband and eldest son. She is survived by her son David, her daughter, Susan, her daughter-in-law Julia Raven and two grandchildren, Julia and Andy. Many thanks to the staff at Gloria’s Country Care in Woodland for taking such good care of Ellen in her last 3 years. There will be a memorial service at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024.