CUMBERLAND — Virginia R. Copp, 85, died at her home in Cumberland on Dec. 25 surrounded by her family.

She was born Aug. 31, 1927, in Linneus and was the youngest of eight children born to Olen and Lucy Malone. She moved to Cumberland at age 12 and there met the love of her life, Clayton H. Copp Sr. They were married on Jan. 8, 1944.

Together, she and her husband worked on various business ventures before establishing Copp & Sons Building Movers in 1956. Copp’s hard work and support of her husband and sons helped to build one of the largest and most well-known building moving companies in New England.

She remained active in the buisiness throughout her life, riding to jobs with her son, Clayton, after she was no longer able to drive. She was never afraid to let people know she was the boss; the true matriarch of her family.

Copp taught her children the value of hard work through her own example, often spending entire days working alongside them.

She loved taking care of her family and greatly enjoyed cooking for them. She always had coffee ready and welcomed many visitors.

She was highly devoted to her faith and helped to establish the Pentecostal Church on Morrison’s Hill in Cumberland. She attended services and carried her faith into her everyday life.

Copp and her family traveled extensively, driving from Maine to California and Florida. Eventually, they established a second home in St. Cloud, Fla., where they enjoyed bringing their kids and grandchildren. She also enjoyed her camp on Forest Lake and loved having her family gather there every Sunday afternoon and for their yearly Fourth of July celebration.

She was predeceased by her husband, five brothers and two sisters. Copp is survived by her sons Bert Copp and his wife, Diana, Clayton Copp Jr. and his wife, Lucy, and Clifton Copp and his wife, Lorna; her daughter, Brenda Kuntz and her husband, Mark; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.

A graveside service will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the Copp family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2c, Scarborough, ME 04074.

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