Kathryn Cooper

Kathryn “Kate” (Stuart) Cooper, 79, died at home on December 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Richard “Rick” Cooper to whom she was married for 53 years.

Born in Rochester, New York, she was the daughter of the late Roberta (Miller) and Kenneth Stuart. She graduated with her Master’s Degree from the University of Rochester. She was an English teacher for 33 years at the Kennedy Junior High School in Woburn, where she met her future husband whose classroom was across the hall from hers.

Kate was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS on the day before her birthday in April of this year and left us forever on Christmas Day, ironic bookends for a terrible disease.

Kate sang a cappella harmony with the Merrimack Valley Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International for 22 years. She toured Austria and Ireland with them, performing in iconic settings in both countries, as well as creating spontaneous performances on street corners, in restaurants and on one occasion in a workingman’s Irish pub, where they quickly won over the locals.

Kate enjoyed walking along the Marginal Way three times a year with two of her lifelong friends on each of their birthdays. She was an avid gardener and knitter, attended local live music venues with her many musical friends and played bridge twice a week at the Chelmsford Senior Center. She loved to read, especially British mysteries, and enjoyed watching old movies, Jeopardy and reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond with her family.

In addition to her husband Rick, Kate is survived by her children, Jesse and Paul; her grandchildren, Angelina, Joseph, Savanna and Bodie; her brothers, Ken and Bill Stuart; as well as many other extended family and friends.

In being Kate’s wishes, all services were held privately. Burial took place in Pine Grove Cemetery, Westford. Donations may be made in Kate’s memory to either the Merrimack Valley Chorus, Westford Remembers, Parish Center for the Arts or to the Shirley Meeting House.