Marianne Maree Cooper

Our beloved mother and matriarch was 89 years old when she made her transition on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon at home. Her sharp mind and strong life force kept her here longer than her body could sustain. Mom always wanted four children and four children she had. Three boys, and a girl. She told me it was because she witnessed the great fun her southern father (A. Morgan Maree Jr.) had with his three siblings. I am the youngest and her only daughter. Interesting how we make decisions, and she loved being a wife and mother. Family was everything! Here are some highlights: Mom was born in Detroit in the summer of 1929, to parents who while each engaged to other people, met at a wedding in Florida and fell in love. How amazing and romantic I always thought that was. Her family moved west to California when Mom was 6 months old because her older brother (A. Morgan Maree III) had ear trouble and the doctor felt the west coast weather would help. They settled in Los Angeles in Los Feliz, also known as “Pill Hill”, and Mom attended Junior High, then Marlborough High School for girls. From Marlborough, she went to Bennet Junior College in Millbrook, New York where she studied theatre and drama. This was her mother (Elizabeth L. Cady's) idea, and I thought Mom had an undeveloped talent in this area. Mom met Dad (Thomas C. Cooper) when she was 18 at a Christmas party, and it was love at first sight. She was 21 when they married and loved setting up their first apartment in Westwood Village near UCLA. Mom excelled at being a homemaker, and loved beautiful things. She could sew, loved linens, and made a beautiful bed. In her teens, Mom rode horseback and was an accomplished swimmer. She taught us all to swim, and I remember her playing paddle tennis when I was in high school: she was competitive and she was good at it. If she had to pick 2 colors, they would be celadon and white, and Mom loved to garden. She appreciated all plants, but azaleas, geraniums, shade plants, and orchids were her specialty. She enjoyed yoga, and was an avid reader. A member of the Junior League, The Junior Philharmonic, and Nine O’Clock Players Theatre for Children. Mom had a mind for business and not only followed the stock market, but also invested, finding it exciting. For 13 years she worked as an account executive for her father’s financial management business, A. Morgan Maree Jr. and Associates still going today, that catered to clients of the motion picture industry. Before that she worked in sales in the china and crystal department of I. Magnin in Los Angeles and was in her element. As a Depression child, Mom was good at making ends meet, and was highly praised for being frugal. This talent would show up in different ways later in life and mom saw the humor in it. Such as the rubber bands that surrounded the LA Times she saved faithfully and attached to the kitchen cabinet knob that held the instant coffee. She never got used to spending, and loved a good sale, but mom was most generous with gifts to family. I remember how beautifully she wrapped presents, and how they always came with a hand written card. Christmas and Easter were two of her favorite holidays, and she delighted in their celebration and decoration. In 1980 Mom’s inner strength and resilience were tested when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment was strong and her prognosis wasn’t good. She beat the odds and after treatment, found comfort in taking bible study courses. In the 90’s she travelled and had a “ball” redecorating her house with her friend and interior designer Sally Davies, which she said was one of the happiest times in her life. She had what we humorously referred to as the “shopping” gene, which she generously passed down to me, and I will always remember with fondness the hours of shopping we did together especially at Loehmann’s in LA. Mom, the world is different without you. It’s missing your beauty, elegance, grace, style, and chic. It’s missing your great smile, and wonderful laugh. It’s missing your sense of humor, your kindness, and loyal friendship. But most importantly, we are missing our dearest mother, grandmother, and aunt, who loved us, listened to us, and supported us. You are in our hearts forever. Besides lifelong friends and acquaintances, Mom will be missed by her 4 children: Chris (Aida) of Prescott, AZ, Kent (Sophie) of Santa Barbara, CA. Kevin (Nancy) of Santa Rosa, CA, and Carrie Cooper Griffith (Glenn) of Santa Barbara, CA. 4 wonderful grandchildren: Chloe, Manon, Tyler (Laura), and Carson, her nephew, Andrew Morgan Maree IV of Sherman Oaks, CA, and several southern cousins. Our family is most grateful to Help Unlimited, and their fabulous caregivers for the 6 years of loving care and companionship that made Mom’s quality of life better. Also, the team of Assisted Home Health and Hospice, whose expertise and dedication made Mom’s end care and transition more comfortable for everyone. A Private Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 (Mom and Dad’s 68th wedding anniversary) at 11am at Calvary Cemetery 4201 Whittier Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90023. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.