Christina P. Cooper

October 12, 1950-October 29, 2015

“I had forgotten how much light there is in the world, till you gave it back to me.”

—Ursula K. LeGuin

Christina Peterson Cooper, 65, of Paso Robles, California, passed away on October 29, 2015, in Twin Cities Hospital, Templeton, California.

She was born in Newton, Massachusetts on October 12, 1950. She is the daughter of the late Robert O. Peterson and Jean Campbell Peterson. Christina is survived by her husband, David D. Cooper, of Paso Robles, California, and her brother, Campbell Peterson, of Plantsville, Connecticut.

Christina graduated from Southington High School, Southington, Connecticut, in 1968. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Connecticut in 1972. She met her husband in Providence, R.I. while working as a staff physical therapist at the famous Easter Seals’ Meeting Street School where she coordinated clinics and participated in research projects. Her work at Meeting Street School inspired a career-long commitment to pediatric rehabilitation.

In 1978 Christina and her husband moved to Santa Barbara, California. For ten years she served as Coordinator of Therapy and Clinic Services for California Children Services.

After moving to East Lansing, Michigan in 1988, Christina continued her career in interdisciplinary pediatric rehabilitation as President of Anacapa Physical Therapeutics, P.C., and Department Manager of Pediatric Rehabilitation and Pediatric Subspecialty Clinics at Sparrow Hospital, a top 100 hospital in Lansing, Michigan. She received a Masters Degree in Public Administration in Health Care Administration from Western Michigan University in 1995. After a sabbatical with her husband in Shell Beach, California, 1996-97, Christina joined the Clinton County (Michigan) Regional Educational Service Agency as a pediatric Physical Therapist. Christina and her husband David retired in Paso Robles, California in 2011.

Christina is co-author of Yes I Can! Motor and Language Group Activities for Children Preschool to Early Elementary (Lorenz Educational Press, 2005). Her many honors included memberships in the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Pi Alpha Alpha (the National Honor Society for Public Administrators). She was listed in Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals (1996). Her professional affiliations were extensive, including Chair of the Children’s Miracle Network Family Campaign, Executive Board of Directors for South Coast Special Olympics, and the Professional Advisory Board of Hospice.

A memorial service in celebration of Christina’s life and work will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016, 3-5 PM at Calvary Lutheran Church, 480 Monterey Avenue, Morro Bay, California 93442.

Those wishing to make memorial tributes in Christina’s name may direct their gifts to the following organizations:

United Cerebral Palsy http://ucp.org/donate/tribute/

Children’s Defense Fund http://www.childrensdefense.org/