Dorothy Yvonne Cooper, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Livonia, Michigan. Dorothy was born on May 29, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late John and Nora (Summers) Saenz. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Dorothy's greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her son Steven (Karen) Cooper, daughter-in-law Amy Cooper, and her cherished grandchildren Kaitlin (Jack) Kelly, Kyle (Kylie) Cooper, and Connor Cooper. Dorothy was a proud great-grandmother to Theodore, Olivia, Ethan, Grant, and Isabella. She is also survived by her siblings Dolores Jasinski, Lucille Ward, and John (Gail) Saenz, as well as her sister-in-law Marie Cooper. She will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews, who adored her.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerome "Jack" Cooper, whom she met through mutual friends in 1958 and married in May of 1960. They spent many wonderful years creating their life together until Jack’s passing on June 30, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her sons Fr. Daniel Cooper, who passed away on May 1, 2018, and Joseph Cooper, who passed away on August 3, 2024.
Dorothy devoted over 30 years of her life to Warren Consolidated Schools, where she worked as a secretary in an administrative capacity, contributing greatly to the school community.
A woman of strong faith, Dorothy was a dedicated parishioner of St. Cyril Methodius Catholic Church in Sterling Heights for many years. Upon relocating to Livonia in 2013, she became a devoted member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, where she continued to deepen her faith and share her love with others.
Dorothy had a great love for games, especially playing board games like Scrabble, card games like pinochle, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. Her grandchildren fondly remember these special moments spent with her, passing down her love for these games. Dorothy was also a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers and enjoyed many years of cheering them on.
In addition to her hobbies, Dorothy was a generous soul who enjoyed giving back to the communities she lived in. Throughout her life, she volunteered in numerous ways, and even in her 80s, she continued to volunteer at the local library, proving that her heart for service never wavered.
A Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at St Anne Catholic Church, 38100 Five Mile Road, Livonia Michigan 48154. Dorothy’s family will receive visitors for viewing from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, April 4, 2025, with a Rosary Service taking place at 6:00 pm, at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. An additional period of gathering time will take place at church on Saturday from 10:30 am until the time of Mass at 11:00 am. A burial at Great Lakes National Cemetery will be held at a later date, where Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her husband, Jerome.
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