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Marilyn Cooper Obituary
February 2, 1936 ˜ April 16, 2023
Marilyn Cooper was born to Udine and Thomas Cooper in the Moapa Valley, NV. When she was ten, her family moved to Nampa Idaho. She graduated from Nampa High School. In 1955 she married Francis Cushman with whom she had five children.
When we were little, we loved that she sang folk songs and read Mother Goose rhymes and fairy tales to us. She baked delicious cakes, pies and breads. She loved reading, bird watching and classical music. She earned a Master’s of Social Work from Portland State University, a long held dream she realized in 1980. She worked full time as a social worker for the next 42 years in Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA. She found happiness in 1981 when she married Mike Doersch.
Survivors include her husband, Mike Doersch; daughters, Claire Potter (Darell), Jeannie Manville (Rick, deceased); sons, Winn, Drew and Robert Cushman, sisters Caren Jensen and Myrna McDougal; brother, Thomas Cooper; grandchildren, Will and Michael Potter and Helena Manville. She requested no funeral.
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Memories and Condolences
for Marilyn Cooper
Ann
April 13, 2025
It is hard to believe that is has been a year. I was lucky to have a few moments with her during that last hospital stay. Working with her AT CRMHS was my good fortune. She was always available for a consult or word or two of inspiration and encouragement. I did then and do now remember her with warmth.
Ann
Jeanette
May 4, 2023
I am blessed to have the opportunity to meet and work with Marilyn. She was a strong, compassionate, dedicated, persistent and caring therapist. There are few who can match her. I remember discussions we had with clients, the way she supported me and talking about all the birds in my yard.
She was a gift to this world and will be missed.
Cindy (Cooper) Ormsby
April 22, 2023
Thank you for sharing your memories. What a beautiful tribute to a life well lived. So very sorry for your loss.
Richard Cooper
April 20, 2023
I'm sorry to hear of your mothers passing. My condolences to you and your families.
Helena Manville
April 19, 2023
My grandmother´s kindness and compassion showed no end. From the beginning of my life, until I left for college, Marylin and her husband Mike(Pop Pops) took me into their home, on Sundays, cared for me, and allowed me to run, explore, and experience the world with them. She created star charts for me when I completed tasks, bought me toys at Finnegan´s, and helped me learn to read, write, and attempted to teach me how to do math.
Each Sunday, we would trek on foot for five miles through the hills of South West Portland. Where my grandmother could be rigid(meaning, the walk was happening rain or shine) she was also fun, with a pantry full of gummy worms, cookies, and chocolate chips. She had a wonderful laugh, incredible humor, and cared for others in ways you only hear about but never imagine you could experience. But I did, as everyone who has come into contact with her has.
My grandmother made me sandwiches, cooked and baked for family dinners, and as she got older, began to enjoy simple pleasures like Portland Trail Blazer games on TV. She loved to drink coffee(too much!) and enjoyed a nice glass of wine.
My grandmother was persistent and stubborn, as many know. She worked until she was 85, which is a testament to her dedication to caring for others. Over the weekend, I was able to look over work notes others had left for her- each saying they were grateful for her dedication, timeliness, and willingness to work far beyond her job duties.
It feels silly to sum up a lifetime of memories with gummy worms, walks, and sandwiches- but there is no way to put in to words what my grandma means to me without mentioning my memories of her. She has impacted my life in immeasurable ways, and countless times. The impact of her loss will be felt for the rest of my life, as well as the lives of many others.
Myrna McDougal
April 17, 2023
I'm going to miss my little sister. I know that she is no longer in pain and has found Mom and Dad waiting for her.
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