A graveside committal service for Fannie Rachel Copeland, 96, who transitioned to her Heavenly home, February 3, 2020, will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at 2 p.m., at Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland. The Reverend David English will officiate.

To share a memory or story with Fannie’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.

ROCKLAND — Fannie Rachel Copeland, 96, transitioned to her Heavenly home, Monday, February 3, 2020, with her sisters by her side at the Owls Head Homestead.

Born in Albion, Maine, she was the third of seven children born to William Nathaniel and Ida May Clark Copeland.

Fannie attended Albion schools through her first year of high school and after moving to South Thomaston with her family, graduated Rockland High School, class of 1941. That fall she began studies at Castine Normal School with the desire to become a teacher.

Her plans were interrupted by World War II, which found Fannie moving to Washington, D.C., where she served as a Civil Service Secretary. After WWII, she returned to Rockland, and for many years worked as a secretary for a physician at the Veterans Hospital at Togus.

During this same period, Fannie completed her college education. One of her most rewarding efforts of service came as she taught ESL (English as a Second Language) to non-English speaking people from Europe and Asia, within school districts and in the community. Fannie once wrote of this experience saying, “Only those privileged to befriend non-English speaking people can know the priceless value inherent therein.”

A longtime member of the former Main Street, First Baptist Church of Rockland. An accomplished crafter, with her sister Aggie, Fannie enjoyed selling her crafts at area craft fairs.

Other than her parents, Fannie was predeceased by four siblings, William, Fred, Christine and Aggie Copeland.

She is survived by two sisters, Mildred Copeland of Rockland, and Helen Wing of Owls Head; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 7, at 2 p.m., at Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland. The Rev. David English will officiate.

To share a memory or story with Fannie’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.