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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Diane Rose Cooper

Diane Rose Cooper
Diane Rose Cooper

Diane Rose Cooper, age 74, of Leesburgh, FL and Plymouth MI, passed away on Wednesday (May 3rd, 2017) at the Lane Purcell Hospice House in Sumterville, FL after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Diane was born in West Bend, Wisconsin on April 24, 1943, where she was raised by the late Armond and Elizabeth (Groh) Smith.

Diane graduated from West Bend High School in West Bend, Wisconsin with the class of 1961. On June 11, 1966 she was united in marriage to the love of her life for 50 + years, Larry Alvin Cooper in West Bend, Wisconsin.

Diane’s passion for children began in 1968 with the birth of their son David, and grew in 1973 with the birth of their daughter Jennifer. In 1971 the young family moved to Jackson, Mississippi where Diane got her start in early childhood education volunteering at Headstart preschool where she was affectionately referred to as “the white lady”. In 1977 the family moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where Diane began her teaching career with Headstart preschool. Her passion for fairness and opportunity to all children and ultimately people continued to grow and develop here, along with an incredible friendship that would have a profound effect on her and ultimately help her understand what it is to have gratitude no matter the situation you’re faced with. In the late 1980’s the family moved to Midland, Michigan. Diane resumed her studies in early childhood education and earned a degree from Saginaw Valley State University. Diane’s positive approach to life and capacity for caring are evident to many in her work; as a teacher, to a Plymouth township poll volunteer, to helping jailed mothers record books for their children to listen to while they are away, to an activist for justice in Palestine-Israel.

Diane’s passion for a healthy vibrant life was evident to all in the amazing meals she would regularly prepare for her family, and transcended to the many fun family and social activities she engaged in. Her family is grateful she had such a passion for camping, family reunions, and international travel. Her friends fondly remember her gracing them with the warmest of smiles whether she was at ladies golf, couples golf, knitting groups, strong women fitness, and Friday and Thursday night dining groups.

Diane was an incredibly impactful person and although she took great pride in her work and volunteer activities, her greatest pride was her family! She is survived by her beloved husband Larry Alvin Cooper, son David & Kelly Cooper, daughter Jennifer & Chad Chichester, grand children Zachary & Rachel Chichester, three sisters; Gerri (Don) Ness, Jean (Mike) Braatz, Ruth (Tom) Heinecke, sister-in-laws; Delores Lillge, Elaine Chambers and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Celebration of Life services to be held tentatively on Sunday July 30th, 2017 at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, MI and Saturday August 5th, 2017 at Tri-County Unitarian Universalists in Summerfield, FL.

If you wish to make a donation (tax deductible) in memory of Diane, please send a check to the “AET Library Endowment” (Federal ID # 52-1460362) and mail it to AET, PO Box 91056, Long Beach, CA 90809-1056, with “In memory of Diane Cooper” in the memo line.

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