Gail K. Cooper

Gail K. Cooper 1942-2009 WEST BRATTLEBORO Gail K. Cooper, 66, of Bonnyvale Road, West Brattleboro, died on Saturday, January 31, following a year long struggle with cancer. She died peacefully in the hospital surrounded by her family and friends. Gail was born in Norwich, Conn. on February 21, 1942, the second child of Grant and Mary Koch. She grew up on Cape Cod in the Town of Brewster where she attended Brewster Elementary and was in the first graduating class at Nauset Regional High School. Following high school she earned a BA degree in sociology from Colby College and an M Ed. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Gail leaves her husband, Peter A. Cooper of Brattleboro; her daughter, Amy Friess Cooper of Marlborough, Mass.; her son, Sheldon A. Cooper, daughter-in-law Johanna Hulick, and granddaughter, Ruby Luz Hulick-Cooper, all of Seattle, Wash.; and her sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn Koch Francis and Richard R. Francis of Brewster, Mass. She was prececeased by her parents. Gail spent most of her working life in the fields of social work, education and teaching. Following college she was a VISTA Volunteer on the Island of Molokai (Hawaii) and later spent three years working for the American Friends Service Committee in eastern Kentucky. When she moved to Vermont in 1970 she was a curriculum coordinator for the Community College of Vermont and then served as Director of Financial Aid for Marlboro College. From 1985-2000 she taught reading and math at Brattleboro Area Middle School under the Chapter 1/Title 1 Programs. On retirement Gail embarked on a number of fulfilling volunteer efforts. These included serving as a Brattleboro Justice of the Peace and member of the Board of Civil Authority, being a Welcome Baby volunteer for Early Education Services, serving on the Morning House (Shelter) Board, tutoring and registering inmates to vote at the Souther State Correctional Facility in Springfield, working with the League of Women Voters (especially on voter registration), serving on the Brattleboro Citizens Police Communication Committee, being a member of the Retired Teachers "Classroom Library Project" that sends books to needy school classrooms throughout the country, and serving on one of Youth Services' Diversion Boards. During this time she also joined the Progressive Party on Vt., serving for several years as Chair and then Co-Chair of the Windham County Progressive Party, as well as being a member of their statewide Coordinating Committee. In all these pursuits Gail was motivated by the desire to help others and to level the playing field of opportunity for all people. Above all, Gail's greatest joy was found in family and friends. She was a source of great inspiration and her generous spirit touched the lives of many. FUNERAL NOTICE: Gifts in Gail's memory may be made to the American Friends Service Committee (1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102) or Morningside House (PO Box 370, Brattleboro, VT 05302). A celebration of Gail's life will be held in the spring at a date and place to be announced. All will be welcome.