Obituary

Carolyn Lee Cooper, age 78, passed away at home in Bellingham, WA on July 29, 2022. Carolyn was born on March 9, 1944 in Oakland, CA to Mark and Mavis Coppinger. In her youth, she was quite an athlete, lettering in swimming and the high dive. Carolyn wore that letterman jacket with pride. In a Winchell’s Donuts in California, Carolyn fell for the guy behind the counter, Robert Cooper. Carolyn and Bob were married in Los Altos, CA on April 14th, 1962. Two years later they welcomed their first child, Bobbie. In 1967 the new family moved to Washington, settling in Whatcom County where the family continued to grow with the additions of: Clifford, Erika, Mathew, Christine, and Scott.

Carolyn loved and supported her family without reservations. She was our advocate, our champion, our cheerleader, inspiring us to be our best. She was our rock, providing for us, always there when we needed her. She made holidays and birthdays special and filled the house with the aromas of her baking, cooking, and canning. As the family matured, so did Carolyn’s relationships. She cherished afternoons shopping with her daughters, and special meals out with her sons. She got to travel to Paris and Hawaii with her children, creating wonderful memories with them.

Carolyn’s warmth extended well beyond family as she effortlessly included others in her sphere. If Carolyn considered you a friend, then she treated you as family. There was always room for one more at her table.

In 2016 Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Robert D. Cooper.
She is survived by daughter Bobbie (partner Joe), son Clifford, daughter Erika (Christopher), son Matthew (Mayumi), daughter Christine (Eric), and son Scott (Sonja), grandchildren: Jesse (partner Kendra), Kristen, Allen, Jenny, Luke, Cooper, Sara, Odin, and Jaeger; step-grandchildren Riley and Caitlyn; and great-grandchildren Lenneth, Rhea, Skylnn, Takylee.

Carolyn’s final resting place is at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham, WA.