Anna Cooper passed away on December 16, 2015 at age 89 following a short battle with cancer. Anna was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 30, 1926 where she lived and worked as a secretary following high school graduation. At age 18 she married Nelson James Cooper. “Jim” and Anna were married for 57 years and are survived by their three children, Carolyn Barnes (Bruce), Sue Ritter (Doug) and Marilyn Wee Sit (Evro).
Anna spent most of her life in the Detroit suburbs of Michigan where she was a devoted and involved stay at home Mom to her three daughters. Anna supported her children’s activities at every opportunity. Her volunteer roles included PTA President, Sunday school teacher and Girl Scout Leader.
Following Jim’s retirement from General Motors, Anna and Jim moved to Presque Isle in northern Michigan, where they spent many happy years. Anna and Jim moved to Sun City, California in 2001, where they spent three years together until his passing in 2004. Anna lived in Sun City for five more years until moving to Fairwinds of Redmond, Washington in 2009.
Anna was always an active person with a variety of interests including square dancing, ballroom dancing, sewing and crocheting. During their retirement years, Anna and Jim enjoyed traveling to many United States destinations including Alaska, Florida, California, Arizona, Colorado, Washington D.C. and New York. Anna was also an avid reader and loved her Kindle. She was constantly reading new books.
Anna was a wonderful Grandma to four grandchildren, Megan Smith, Christopher Calas, Emilia Wee Sit and Jimmy Wee Sit, and one great grandchild, Austin Smith. Her grandchildren have many fond memories of special times with their Grandma.
Anna asked that no memorial service be planned. In lieu of a memorial service, her immediate family will gather in Michigan next summer to celebrate her life. Memorial gifts can be made to the Evergreen Health Foundation, 12040 NE 128th St, MS 5, Kirkland, WA, 98034-3013 or online at http://foundation.evergreenhospital.org/page.aspx?pid=343. Evergreen Hospice Services provided outstanding care during her illness.