Judith Dorothy Cooper

Obituary "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness." II Timothy 4: 7-8 Judy Cooper crossed the finish line on July 23, 2014 into the presence of her Lord and Savior, joining her parents who went before her. Judy was born on April 22, 1944 in Passaic, NJ to Jessie and William Lehmer. She met the love of her life while attending Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, and after graduation she and Dave Cooper were married. They moved to Oak Lawn, IL where she taught 5th grade for 3 years until the birth of their first child, Scott. In 1970 they moved to Fort Collins for Dave's teaching career, and 2 years later Dawn was born. On June 17 they celebrated 48 years of marriage. Judy was home with her children when they were young and then went back to work, first at The Bible House and then at Hospital Services, Inc. until it closed. She finished her career at Foothills Gateway, where she served as an administrative assistant for 10 years and retired in 2009. Judy was a friend to everyone, and anyone who met her loved her. Always the helper, giver, and encourager, she maintained friendships with former co-workers from many years past. Judy loved to read and was a member of two book clubs. She enjoyed the writing as much as the story and her book club friends saw the English teacher in her come alive at book club. Judy loved the ocean and loved to travel, so a favorite destination was Cabo San Lucas. Judy had a great appreciation for music and loved singing, playing piano, and listening to music. Judy was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins where she was a member of the choir for many years and also served as both elder and deacon. She faithfully visited the elderly. Judy lived her faith and followed Jesus' request to "love others as I have loved you." Her unconditional love for others was an inspiration to her friends and family. She was a loving caregiver for her mother in her last years, and has been a great support for her sister as well. Judy will be greatly missed by her husband Dave, her daughter Dawn, her husband John, and their children Vann and Reagan, her son Scott, his wife Angela, and their children Cole and Tess. Also, by her sister Marilyn Helzer and Judy's nieces and nephew, Debbie Vieldhouse, Kevin Vieldhouse and his wife Caprice, Jody and her husband Mike Zaccone, and their families. She will be missed by her many friends as well. Judy's grandchildren were a joy to her, and they all knew that they had the best grandma in the world, as she gave them her full attention and played alongside them. Along with her playful spirit, Judy also had deep compassion for all God's people and her recent trip to Liberia, Africa, gave her opportunity to share God's love with the children there. She came home with a new passion to provide the means for education for the children she met who were victims of civil war in their country. Memorial gifts will be designated for that purpose in order to fulfill Judy's dream. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gift donations to First Presbyterian Church at 531 S. College, Ft. Collins, CO. Please make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church and indicate Liberia fund on the memo line. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 3 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Avenue with a reception to follow. Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Judith Dorothy Cooper