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Lorraine Cooper Obituary

1934 - 2022
Lorraine Sandy Cooper died Sunday, February 27 at her home in Manhattan.

Born August 2, 1934, Lorraine was a lifelong New Yorker, graduating from Bronx Science High School and later from Queens College and NYU law school. She married Carl Chanin when she was 19 years old and moved with him to Germany while he served in the US Army during the Korean War. She and Carl had two sons, Christopher and Joshua Chanin, before divorcing. Lorraine remarried twice; in her last marriage to Alex Oliver, she became a stepmother to Marcus, whom she considered another son.

While raising Chris and Josh, Lorraine worked in advertising, eventually becoming a vice-president at Foote, Cone & Belding agency before switching careers to become a family attorney. She was politically active all of her life, giving time and financial support to causes and candidates. Barack Obama's presidency was the political highlight of her life.

For decades, Lorraine seemingly saw every play, opera, dance performance, and movie playing in theaters. She was on the board of Cherry Lane Theatre and BalletTech, and subscribed to seasons at various theaters and performance spaces around New York City. She was an equally avid reader and was especially devoted to literary fiction.

Lorraine's zest for life led her to travel to every continent except Antarctica, to host a variety of friends every summer weekend on Fire Island or in Bridgehampton, and to organize family trips with her sons and their families. She was a fantastic tennis player and an enthusiastic skier. An incredible cook, her lunch and dinner parties were epic. She spent her last years in Manhattan, Bridgehampton, Paris, and Miami, aided by wonderful nurse Eunice Atieno, with frequent visits from friends and family.

Though her mobility and health had declined in recent years, Lorraine's dynamic personality continued to shine bright until her last hours. She died at home with her son Joshua holding her hand.

In addition to her sons, Lorraine is survived by her brother Leon Cooper and his wife Kay; granddaughters Phoebe Chanin and Roses Oliver and grandson Jago Oliver; daughters-in-law Mara Sonnenschein and Sarah Oliver; nieces Kathleen Cooper and Coralie Cooper and their families; dear friends from over the decades; and her beloved cat Satch.

For those who would like to remember her with a gift, donations can be made to BalletTech or to Cherry Lane Theatre.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Mar. 3 to Mar. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
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Anna Rossini

March 7, 2022

To the Family of Lorraine Sandy Cooper:

On behalf of the Administration, Faculty and Staff of Queens College, may we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Lorraine.

May she Rest in Peace,

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