Nancy Cooper

In the night of Sunday, July 28, 2024, Nancy (Cheak) Cooper passed away peacefully at the Glen of Willow Valley Communities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She had just turned 93, and left behind four sons, 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Nancy grew up in the 1930’s in St. Louis, Missouri. Her grandmother taught her to sew and cook while her widowed mother earned household income as a government secretary. Nancy went on to earn a BA in Romance Languages from Washington University in St. Louis, where she met her husband-to-be on a blind date. After graduation, she married Waller Cooper of Smith Mills, Kentucky, in 1952, working for the CIA while he finished medical school. She gave birth to their first two sons while Waller completed his internship in general medicine in St. Louis. Nancy had a third son while in Oxnard, California, where Waller did military service as a Navy doctor. The family moved from there to Iowa City, Iowa, where Waller completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Iowa. Her fourth son was born in Evansville, Indiana, where the family settled. Three of the four sons became engineers and one became a pastor. After retirement, Nancy and Waller moved in 1988 to South Glastonbury, Connecticut. She delighted in her grandchildren and organized many “Re-Cooper-ations” to gather her family together from all corners of the country. In 1999, she and Waller settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Waller passed away in March, 2014. Nancy excelled at many forms of needlework. Her sewing skill won prizes at the Indiana and Connecticut state fairs. She opened her own business, Pleat and Repleat, in Evansville, Indiana, which offered smocking supplies and educational classes. She knit countless scarves and caps for sailors and made blankets for babies in the neonatal ward. She kept family and friends well-stocked with hand-knit dishcloths by the hundreds until she was near 90. Besides sewing, Nancy pursued a variety of other interests. She taught water aerobics and enjoyed ballet and round dancing. She tap-danced with many groups into her late 70’s. Her baking recipes have been passed down several generations. She loved to travel in the US and around the world. Later in life, she learned to weave baskets and to paint. Nancy put her faith in Christ as an adult and was involved in local church congregations. She very much looked forward to going home to her Lord. She is survived by her sons: Tad Cooper (Michelle) of Greenville, North Carolina, Clark Cooper (Nana) of Washington, D.C., Keith Cooper (Jan) of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, and Kirk Cooper (Sally) of Worthington, Ohio. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.