This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: COOPER, BLIGH, OOSTERBAAN, GREENEBAUM, MIXON, HAINES, VERDUZCO, MCCARTHY, SIMON, STEWART, BRYANT Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/26970/mb.ashx Message Board Post: COOPER, Edith Edith Cooper passed away peacefully on August 28, 2010 in Naples, Florida. The only child of William and Jessie Bligh, she was born January 7, 1914, in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Oberlin College where, in her sophomore year, she met and fell in love with Paul Cooper, a freshman from Kalamazoo. After graduating in 1936 with Theater and English majors, she was employed as a manager for Bell Telephone Company in Cleveland. The Coopers were married June 3, 1939 in Gates Mills, Ohio. Last year they celebrated their 70th anniversary in Naples. During World War II, Edie cared for their three small children in Cleveland while Paul served in the Army as Vice-chief of Surgery in England and later Germany. In 1947, the Coopers moved to Kalamazoo where two more children were born. While her family was the center of her life, Edie was active in the community: board member of the YWCA and Visiting Nurses, Vice-President of Service Club (now Junior League), President of Service Club Hon! oraries, President of the Medical Auxiliary and member of Second Reformed Church. Edie enjoyed reading, playing golf, collecting antiques and traveling the world with Paul. In retirement, Paul and Edie moved to Naples, Florida. As members of the Moorings Presbyterian Church, they twice took their children and spouses to Israel. In 1993, they moved to the Glenview Retirement Community where Edie served as activities chairman for seven years. Each December, she wrote and directed a Christmas play for the residents. She was a portrait painter, her favorite subjects being her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Edie Cooper was the vibrant heart of the extended Cooper clan. For her five children and fourteen grandchildren, she was a sensitive listener, caring counsel and quiet inspiration. She welcomed the in-laws and was overjoyed with the birth of each new baby. For 96 years, she lived life abundantly, sharing her warmth, wisdom and wit. She was preceded in death by her hus! band, Dr. Paul Cooper. She leaves her five children and their spouses, Bert (Terri) Cooper of Kalamazoo, Christine (John) Oosterbaan of Kalamazoo, Dr. Thomas (Sue) Cooper of Everett, Washington, John (Karen) Cooper of Hickory Corners, and Jane (Jim) Greenebaum of Katonah, New York; 14 adored grandchildren, John Paul (Joan) Oosterbaan, Anna (George) Mixon, Dr. Jeffrey (Sara) Cooper, Kristen (Mike) Haines, Katy (Steve) Verduzco, Amy (Mark) McCarthy, David (Lindsay) Oosterbaan, Ryan (Stacey) Cooper, Beth (Ben) Simon, Maggie (D.J.) Stewart, Dr. Edie (Matt) Bryant, Ann Cooper, Casey and Claire Greenebaum; and 20 great grandchildren, "the jewels in her crown." A memorial service will be held in Naples, Florida on September 25, 2010. Memorial gifts may be made to Pretty Lake Camp or to the Glenview Scholarship Fund, which assists young employees with their college expenses. Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on August 31, 2010 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.