Beverly Michael Copeland

Beverly Michael (nee Levin) Copeland, age 84, of Morton Grove passed away on January 15, 2026. Beloved wife of Sheldon M. Copeland, mother of Rai (Bill), Sean, Francie (Scott), and Erin of blessed memory. Grandmother of Colin (Mali), Evan, and Izzy. Sister of Barry (the late Susan), Lony (Jeff), and beloved sister-in-law of Honey and the late Lee and Cyril. Lifelong friend of Michelle and Judy.

Born in 1941, Bev was raised on the West Side and graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School. She attended University of Illinois before leaving to become a homemaker. After raising four children, she returned to higher education and earned a degree in English Literature from Northeastern Illinois University. Bev was passionate about children's literature and worked in the children's section of the Morton Grove Public Library until she retired. Bev founded the Erin Copeland Building Minds with Books Project in 1994 following the tragic passing of her beloved daughter Erin. Through this charity, Bev collected and distributed books to children in need across the Chicagoland area. She was also passionate about the arts, and published Glass Focus, a quarterly periodical focused on art glass, for multiple decades.

Bev was politically active and a staunch advocate for social justice. She was a founding board member of People for a Safer Society, a member of Morton Grove Women Who Drink Tea, Vision Morton Grove, and National Council of Jewish Women. Bev made friends everywhere she went and brought together people from all walks of life. Anyone she met, she welcomed into her world. She leaves this earth hoping that the issues she advocated for will help make the world a better place for everyone.

Her family also wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Jerry, Liz, Sherron, Agnes, Marisol, Bella, Stella, Betty, Mariah, and all of Bev's beloved caregivers at Belmont Village Glenview.

Service Monday, 1:00 p.m. CT at The Chapel, 195 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove (1 Block N. of Lake Cook Rd.) Bev's service will be livestreamed on her website at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com. Interment Shalom Memorial Park.

Donations can be made in Bev's memory to World Central Kitchen (wck.org) or the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (icirr.org). Info: The Goldman Funeral Group (847) 478-1600.