Meredith Kopald

Meredith Kopald

Meredith Kopald was born on March 1st, 1932, in Visalia, CA, during the Great Depression. She passed away March 7, 2025 at the ripe old age of 93. After graduating from Tamalpais Union High School in Mill Valley, she received her B.A. in English New Mexico. from UC Meredith Berkeley in 1954 and later earned an M.A. in Education from the University of New Mexico.Meredith became a beloved educator in the Albuquerque Public Schools. Her primaryinterests were teaching creative writing and curriculum development. Meredith taught at Hoover Middle School, Eldorado High School, Hawker College in Canberra, Australia, and at the Albuquerque Academy. In the 70s, she taught women's studies at UNM. She also brought to Congregation Albert with courses on Jewish stories and poetry.

In retirement, Meredith self-published two thoughtful and personal books. Her book, Bev, traces the family history and early lives of Meredith and her sister Beverly Sims (Luther). Bev was a memoir of her sister, who was a dedicated social worker and activist during the Civil Rights movement before passing away at a young age. The book was a gift to us all, but especially meaningful to her niece and nephew, providing them with a deeper understanding of their mother's life. Her second book, Our Time in Vietnam, reflects on the 22 months she, her first Bob Friedman, and her children lived in Vietnam at the start of the war, when Bob worked for the US Agency for International Development. The book offered a unique perspective on their time abroad during a pivotal historical moment.

She met her life partner and second husband, Noel Kopald, on a New Mexico Mountain Club hike in 1975. They happily raised a blended family of 6 children and traveled extensively during retirement. Meredith and Noel were adventurers together. At the age of 54, Meredith took up their downhill skiing and soon was skiing the blue runs with abandon. She also enjoyed sailing on their catamaran, walking the ditches, hiking, and backpacking. In her ripe old 60s, she and Noel backpacked in New Mexico, many national parks, as well as in Australia and New Zealand (Not for an old city girl!)

Meredith loved being a mom, an aunt, and a grandma. She is survived by her husband Noel Kopald, six children: John Friedman, Katherine Friedman, Margaret Hrvatin, Elizabeth Friedman Branoff, Daniel Kopald, and Adam Kopald, and six grandchildren: Meredith Carter Friedman, Alfred Kopald, Julius Kopald, Aviva Branoff, Mira Steinman, and Judah Branoff. She is also survived by her great-grandson Ayden Teraoka, and her nephew and niece, Martin Sims and Meredith Higgins and their children: Savannah Higgins, Sydney Higgins, Kiera Sims, and Kamden Sims.

Beyond her family, Meredith was a beloved maternal figure to many students, neighborhood friends, their children, and others, offering wisdom, warmth, and unwavering support. Her enduring influence touched countless lives.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 3 p.m. at Congregation Albert, Albuquerque. All who knew her are welcome. Donations in Meredith's memory can be made to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or Planned Parenthood.