Marion Mae Cooper

1921 - 2014

Marion Mae Cooper obituary, 1921-2014, Covina, CA

BORN

1921

DIED

2014

FUNERAL HOME

Guerra & Gutierrez Custer Christiansen Mortuary - Covina

124 S. Citrus Avenue

Covina, California

Marion Cooper Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 24, 2014.

Mom was born May 11, 1921 in Des Plaines, Illinois, the first daughter to Stanley and Mary Eliza Chidley. Mom was 13 years old when the family moved to California and settled in Inglewood where she grew up with her two brothers, Doug and Russell and her younger sister Margie. Mom told stories of her and her brothers playing music outside the local theater to earn the few cents to pay the entry fee to watch a movie. Mom played the Accordion instrument, which she kept all these years and occasionally we would ask her to play for us. Such a large instrument for my petite mother. Graduating from Inglewood High School in 1939 after which she began her extensive career as a legal secretary working for a prominent Judge in Inglewood and later for the City of Inglewood Mayor.

Mom had many friends in her life, but Ginny Maag played a pivotal role to her future. At Ginny's wedding rehearsal to Donald Maag, Don was my Dad's cousin, Mom and Dad met each other as they were in the wedding party, Don's Best Man and Ginny's Bridesmaid. It was love at first sight for they both went home that night and told their parents they had met the one they would marry, which they did in May 1942. Mom and Dad held a lifelong bond in marriage until Dad passed in 1998. Mom was adrift without Dad but with her two sons Mike and Tim and the 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, she was kept busy and accompanied to the day our Lord took her home to be with Dad.

Mom had many professional accomplishments in her life. She was one of first of 20 women nationwide to be certified as a "Professional Legal Secretary", an arduous curriculum of requirements and education to hold that distinction. During World War Two, Mom worked for the War Department (Department of Defense, today) following Dad as he was stationed across the country being readied to ship out to the Pacific Theater. One unique and little known fact was Mom worked in a very highly classified position transcribing formulas and mathematical equations for the "Manhattan Project" the atomic bomb which expedited the end of the war with Japan. If the war had not ended with use of the bomb, Dad was slated to be in the invasion force of the homeland island of Japan where the casualty predictions to American forces was horrendous. Perhaps our future of the Cooper's would have never been.
Mom and Dad loved to take us boys camping in Yosemite and the Sierras. Later they purchased a cabin in Big Bear where we "camped in style" enjoying almost every weekend in the mountains fishing and hiking. What a gift they gave to my brother and me to have such an opportunity for that. Another favorite destination for Mom and Dad was Hawaii. They visited there as often as they could afford bringing us along numerous times and with friends on their many trips. So many memories were made there that are vivid in our minds today.
Mom was a loving and dedicated mother to her two sons. Being a working woman, a professional woman, was not common at that time and her commitments to her profession were ever present. She was able to balance both, which should be a blueprint to today's working mothers. She was ethical, intelligent, vigilant to the needs of the family and friends, and loyal beyond compromise.
After her retirement from the professional field in 1988, Mom settled into home life "working" with Dad in their crafts and arts. Dad would make wooden figures and Mom would paint them into life. She would gift them to all us and would donate many of her "masterpieces" to raise monies for the community hospital where she and Dad volunteered.

Tragedy and loss hit Mom and the family with the unexpected passing of Dad in 1998. Retirement life together lasted but a fleeting moment leaving Mom separate from her true love and companion of over 56 years. My brother returned home to care for Mom and this was of great comfort to her to have Mike there. However, Mike's health began to decline having Mom to become caretaker for him, but giving her a purpose to be strong. Mike passed away in 2007 creating another hole in her heart. Her oldest son gone but there was comfort that he was with Dad playing golf and talking politics waiting for Mom to join them.
Three years ago, Mom fell in the house breaking her hip. The 'hazards of the getting old' she told us. The family rallied and set up a support chain to keep Mom in her house and active. Soon she was up and walking, although slower, she amazed us with her resilience and positive spirit. Her independence was paramount for us to maintain out of respect to her and how she lived her life.
Her strongest desire was to keep the family united and together. She was the matriarch of the Cooper family, the glue and the guidance of pride in family, Country and our Lord. Her grace and character was felt by all that knew her. Mom suffered a heart attack in April 2014 which dealt a severe blow to her. She continued to become weaker physically, but not mentally. Sharp to the last with wit and knowledge, this strong woman blessed us all with 93 years of her company. She left this earth, our Lord taking her Home on June 21, 2014 at 9:00 PM.
She will be missed in our daily lives from this day forth, but we are comforted with the knowledge she is with Dad, her soul mate, my brother Mike, Uncle Doug, Nonnie and Papa, Grandma Jessie and Grandpa Len, Erlene and all our family before us. There she will overlook our time here on earth until the day we can be united together again.

Rest in Peace beautiful lady, you are always in our hearts.

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July 23, 2015

Sheryl Taneyhill Witham

Auntie Marion-- Their isn't a day that goes by I haven't thought of you-- your love will last me a life time that shall always remain with me you have touch my soul to be that strong woman from a tiny little girl-- the meaning of family comes from you and your sister & brothers that has been passed to us all-- I've asked God for you to be at peace and rejoice in the Lord arms with uncle Chuck and uncle Doug & mike at your side!! the doves are always flying around me that it the comfort I know your at peace!!! I love you !! When it's time for us to follow you may you be at Christ side to hug me along the way!! I miss you thank you for all the life lessons you have shared with me as well as your gifts of art!!! Your amazing!!!

July 10, 2014

Maxine Arthur

I will never forget the day over 50 years ago that we first met. I was working in the office of Pete Matranga, and we needed another legal secretary. You came in to apply for the job. You were an absolutely beautiful woman, with that crown of prematurely grey hair. As we got to know each other, I learned that you were beautiful on the inside as well. Working with Pete was a joy for both of us, and we enjoyed teasing him. I also remember the time you laughed so hard at me. We were in Pete's office, my desk was facing the door leading out to Valley Mall, and your desk was behind mine. Some jerk came up to the door and exposed himself. I was so angry that I yelled to you to call the police. I ran down the street in my high heels, chasing the guy. I did not catch him of course, and when I got back to the office you laughed at me, and asked what on earth I would have done if I caught him.
We had a lot of laughs, and we shed a lot of tears together over the many years of our friendship. I miss you my dear friend.

July 1, 2014

jamie Dumont

Marion was such a wonderful woman. She had the strength of 1,000 women!!! She was my glue that held me through Chris' first deployment as she had been through it herself with Tim and Timmy and Mike I believe. Like so many of her family, who helped me get through his Iraq and Afg. tours, she was the strong woman at the head of the sail.Guiding, Loving, and caring she would take both my hands and tell me it was going to be ok, God would see him through.. Her faith was astounding, her love was generous, as a neighbor she was so kind and she will be missed. RIP and be with your loves now. Dumonts

June 30, 2014

Teresa Phillips

Marion was so loved & cared for in these last years!! She "trained" you all well, her own life a example to follow. Her smile radiated, always showing us her inter beauty! She may have left this earth but you will continue to be surrounded by her love in the memories she has left each of you!

June 30, 2014

The management and staff of Custer Christiansen Mortuary offer their sincere condolences.

June 30, 2014

Tiffany Cooper

I will miss you dearly Grandma. You were always so good to me and always treated me like your granddaughter. I will never forget our shopping trips and driving on the freeway and you yelling at people to press on the goer. You always made me laugh and brought a smile to my face. I love you Grandma. I know you are where you want to be back with Grandpa and with Mike. Until we meet again....I love you so much!!

June 27, 2014

Scott Cornelison

Tim...
Your brother Mike was my best friend for a lot of years, but your Dad and Mom were not only my friends, but my parents as well. Mom Cooper was the best. Have always missed her, but now she finally gets to rejoin Chuck and Mike. They need her now, to straighten them out.
Scott Cornelison

June 26, 2014

Tim and family, Marion radiated love to me through my childhood to the passing of my mom, Erlene. Because of the closeness of our mothers and Ginny, I grew up thinking we were all cousins. Marion always made the house smell delicious. She and Mom would delight me with all their creative talents in paintings and wood crafts. She will be so missed by everyone. I'm very glad that I'll see her again in Glory. Love you Tim and your darling family during this tough time. Love, Lyn "Lunetta" Barnts

June 26, 2014

Melissa,David,Dylen and Braelyen Witham

Our hearts go out to the rest of the family during this hard time but we know that auntie Marion is joined once again with her soul mate and will help guide us everyday and is still smiling with us;)

June 26, 2014

Ginny Maag

Marion, I love you.

June 26, 2014

Geary & Cathy Taneyhill

We always loved our Aunt Marion and she always made us laugh. Our hearts goes out to the family at this time and in the days ahead. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve. May your memories bring you comfort.
Love, Geary, Cathy, Corey & Eythan Taneyhill and April & Barney Singleton

June 25, 2014

Karie Kurey

I am beyond grateful for all the memories we made together grandma. For all the conversations about life and politics. For all the laughs we shared and even the tears. For our trip to Hawaii when I was only 5 years old, when you and Grandpa took me on all the 'bumps' and you taught me how to do the hula dance with your hips. Thank you for all the trips to In-n-out for burgers and milkshakes. And for all the goodies you made me eat because you said that I don't eat enough! I do Grandma!
I have loved spending time with you grandma and learning so much about our family history and all the stories about how you fell in love with grandpa. I will miss you greatly! I love you my buddy! Love, your granddaughter, Karie

June 25, 2014

Austin Kurey

I love you Grandma Cooper. My favorite memory with you was your smile! You laughed at me when I beat you at a game of War! You were a very good grandma to me and I loved spending time with you! I will miss you. Love, Austin Kurey

June 25, 2014

Haley Kurey

I love you Grandma Cooper. I will miss you! I love you very much! My favorite memory of you is the time you played hide and seek with me in your house and I outran you because your walker was too slow to catch me! :) Thank you for being a wonderful great grandma to me! Love, Haley Kurey

June 24, 2014

The management and staff of Custer Christiansen Mortuary offer their sincere condolences.

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Guerra & Gutierrez Custer Christiansen Mortuary - Covina

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