Sylvia Palermo Copeland, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away from this life peacefully on September 23, 2024, at the age of 87 in Conroe, Texas. She was born November 17, 1936, in Houston, Texas, to parents Anthony and Bessie Palermo. She attended Christ the King Catholic School, graduated from Incarnate Word Academy, class of 1954, and furthered her education at St. Thomas University and Massey Business secretarial school. She started working for Pacific Pumps/Dresser Industries in 1956 as a secretary and worked her way up to an Application Engineer, where she got the opportunity to travel to their offices in Italy and California to work with her team members. She retired after 37 years of service and her boss commented “She made it in a man’s world; always with the dignity of a lady.” In 1957 she married the love of her life, Terry Copeland, and had two daughters, Tamara and Caren. They were married for 57 years before his passing.
She loved spending time with her family and friends. She embraced her Italian heritage and could always be found in the kitchen cooking homemade Italian dishes and never let anyone leave hungry. Every holiday season Sylvia’s Italian Cuccidate and Gigilani cookies were in high demand. She enjoyed gardening and always kept her yard immaculate. She was an active member of The Ladies of Sacred Heart, The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and a founding member of St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church. These organizations she valued most of all. She enjoyed traveling and took many trips with family and friends. She also enjoyed the monthly Bunco group which provided fun and laughter with wonderful friends.
Sylvia is survived by daughters: Tamara Wray (Jim) and Caren McCombs (David). Grandchildren: Brittany Ramirez (Dave), Amanda Turner (John), Lex Wray (Hannah) and Anthony McCombs (Kara). Great Grandchildren: Hazelyn, Jack, Benjamin, and Alex. Siblings: Guy A. Palermo (Georgeen), Maryann Palermo, sister-in-law Beverly Copeland, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by both her parents and her husband.
Her celebration of life will be on October 11, 2024, at St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church, 10135 West Rd., Houston, Texas 77064 at 10:30 am for mass. Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, Texas 77038 at 2:15 pm.
In lieu of Flowers, the family asks that you please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, at act.alz.org or Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601
