Karen Cooper's Obituary
Karen Clarene Cooper, nee Bailey, 74 of Rocky River, OH, loving mother, caring sister and devoted wife, passed away peacefully 7/18/17 due to complications from pulmonary failure with family members at her side. Karen is survived by her husband of 53+ years, Douglas, and sons Bryan [wife, Susan], Matthew [wife, Emma], and Gregory [wife, Melissa], and grand-daughters Grace “Owyn” and Elisabeth “Ellie”, and sister Cherryl Adams [husband, Robert] and many nieces and nephews. Karen is the daughter of Russell and Virginia Bailey, both deceased, of Bay Village, OH. Karen graduated Bay Village High School, Class of 1961 and pursued an Education degree at Bowling Green State University where she joined Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She raised her family in Rocky River and Lakewood where she was a member of the Lakewood Historical Society and Rocky River United Methodist Church, where she served as Co-Chair of the Family Life Coordinating Committee. She served as a Docent at the Oldest Stone House and served on the founding Board of the Lakewood Arts Festival and as its chair for 25+ years until 2009. She received Cox’s Spotlight Award for Lakewood Volunteer of the Year in 1990. Karen remained active in Gamma Phi Beta Cleveland West Alumnae Organization serving as its President for 18 years. Karen enjoyed reading, swimming, lifeguarding (which is how she met Doug!), playing bridge, cribbage, Russian Bank and horse-canasta, picnicking at Clifton Beach and hosting get-togethers with her friends and family. Private family burial at Sunset Memorial Park, Memorial Services to be held at Rocky River United Methodist Church, 19414 Detroit Ave., Rocky River, OH 44116, July 25, 2017 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, her family kindly suggests donations be made to Gamma Phi Beta Foundation, 12737 E. Euclid Dr., Centennial, CO 80111, or Lakewood Animal Shelter, 1299 Metropark Dr, Cleveland, OH 44107, or Lakewood Historical Society, 14710 Lake Ave, Cleveland, OH 44107 or other charity of your choice.
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