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Robin Lynn Copeland, age 57, died of heart complications on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 following a life-long battle with undiagnosed mental illness and drug addiction. Robin was born December 15, 1959, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of James T. and Dorothy R. Copeland.

Robin suffered tremendously from depression and anxiety throughout her life. A bright, engaging, and well-liked child, Robin showed tremendous potential academically. As she entered her teenage years, she began to withdraw from family and friends. At the young age of 14, Robin began experimenting with drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate her depression and anxiety. This pattern of self-harm continued through high school, when she briefly dropped out her junior year. A year later, Robin entered a sober period and she was able to graduate from high school. After graduation, she obtained a position as a medical technician at the same nursing home where her mother worked. She truly enjoyed this job, and it was one of the things she was most proud of in her life. She held this position for three years, when she was forced to take time off work to care for the loves of her life – her twin daughters, Jessica and Jenifer. The twins were born prematurely, and Robin became a tireless advocate for their care until they were able to come home five months later. For the next several years, Robin focused on caring for her girls as a single mother with the support of her parents. When they entered kindergarten, Robin enrolled in Mineral Area Community College in St. Francois County, MO. It seemed that life was finally back on track for Robin, but debilitating migraines left her dependent upon prescription pain killers, which ultimately led to a relapse of her mental illness and drug addiction. She ultimately withdrew from college and from life in general, as she slowly descended into depression and drug addiction. Drug addiction, ever fueled by underlying mental illness, cost Robin her close family ties, her friends, her health, and ultimately her life.

Through her suffering, Robin did enjoy bright spots in her life. Robin was an avid reader, and she used books as a means to live vicariously through words. Robin enjoyed camping and fishing when she was able. She enjoyed game and movie nights with her daughters. Robin was tremendously proud of her daughters as both became college graduates. And nothing made her more joyous than the birth of her grandson, Lucas, or learning that she would be a grandmother again this coming September.

Robin is survived by her daughters Jessica (Robert) Kuenzel and Jenifer Copeland, both of St. Louis; grandson, Lucas, and one grandchild due in September; brother James (Sandra) Copeland of Desoto, MO; sister Denise Bauman of Killeen, TX; three nieces, two nephew, three great-nephews, and a number of other relatives, including aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Dorothy.

Robin was deeply loved and will be missed.