Mary L. Cooper

CORVALLIS - The matriarch of our family, Mary Lou Cooper, loving wife of Roy Lee Cooper for 61 years, passed on Sunday, October 18, 2009 surrounded by her loving family. Mom was born in Illinois to Ralph Craig and Frances Alvord Craig. She was raised and educated in Illinois and California. Mom met Dad in 1945 and they married on November 23, 1947 in Lakeside, CA.

Mom lived through a flood as a child, earthquakes through the years and multiple health issues, including cancer, but none as devastating as pneumonia. Through it all, she stayed positive, happy and full of love.

Mom worked at J.C. Penny's for many years. She was also a woman of many talents, including pouring concrete, laying blocks and driving a dump truck for the family business.

Our beautiful angel you will be missed by all. You had many names such as Mom, Sister, Friend, My Love, Gram and Grammie. Thank You for all the wonderful memories, they will always be in our hearts. We kids can still hear you say, "Just remember you're not too big to be turned over my knee" or the famous words of, "My goodness Daddy, why don't you answer, didn't you hear me?"

She always had a smile and kind loving words to say even when she was having a bad day, and now the other angels have taken her away to a peaceful sleep. Rest easy our angel and watch from above, we will take care of the ones that you love. See you later my friend, this is the beginning not the end. We are looking forward to the day we will meet again. Spread your wings and fly high, we are right there at your side. We thank God for her being part of our lives.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ralph and Dennis. She is survived by her husband Roy; daughter Coleen (Danny) Feuers of Hamilton, MT; son, Jens (Deborah) Cooper of El Cajon, CA; two sisters, Lois Knox of Washington and Shirley McLean of Arizona; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.