Mary L. Cooper

MADISON- Mary L. Cooper (Reeves), age 75, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, March 30, 2024. Born February 2, 1949, to Egbert M. “Pud” and Loraine I. (Ballweg) Reeves, Mary grew up attending St. Joseph’s Catholic School before moving on to graduate from Marshall High School in Marshall, Texas in 1967. The following year, on Jan. 6, 1968, Mary wed her high school sweetheart, William A. “Bill” Cooper, in Marshall, Texas and that fall Mary welcomed their son, William A. “Buddy” Cooper Jr., while Bill was touring in Vietnam. Following the war, Bill was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, where Mary, Bill, and Buddy lived for nine years. Mary frequently and fondly recalled the Volkmarches, camping, and square-dancing trips they took all over Germany and western Europe during their time overseas.

Upon returning Stateside, they briefly settled in Alexandria, Louisiana, before ultimately establishing roots in Wisconsin in 1990. In 1996, Mary celebrated the birth of her first grandchild, Victoria “Tori” Cooper. Later, in 2007, she became an adopted mother figure to Gina Guerrero and Laurence Roldan, and a grandmother to their then-two-year-old daughter, Joanna Roldan-Guerrero, then Mauricio Roldan-Guerrero in 2008 and Laurence “Adiel” Roldan-Guerrero in 2010. Meanwhile, while working for the United States Attorney’s office, Mary returned to school, earning her bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in 2007 and her master’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2009 before retiring in 2012. Throughout her retirement, she and Bill spent much of their time together RVing, attending Tori’s athletic events with Tori’s mother, Liz, and spoiling their grandchildren whenever possible. After Bill’s death in 2015, Mary spent much of her time with Tori and Liz, enjoying life and living to the fullest.

Mary is survived by her beloved granddaughter, Tori Cooper of Madison; son, William (Susan) Cooper Jr. of Garland, Texas; brother, Charles (Mary Lou) Reeves of Marshall, Texas; brothers-in-law, Carl (Mary Jo) Cooper of Bryan, Texas, and Mike (Cindy) Cooper of Farmers Branch, Texas; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mary is further survived by her special extended family, Elizabeth “Liz” Kalupa of Madison, Laurence and Gina Roldan-Guerrero and their children, Joanna, Mauricio, and Adiel of Middleton, Wisconsin; Helen and Paul Wagabaza of Middleton, Wisconsin; and Renee and Horice Bridges of Madison, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Donald Reeves of Marshall, Texas; parents-in-law, Carl and Helen (Sterns) Cooper of Longview, Texas; and loving husband, Bill Cooper of Madison, Wisconsin.

Services will be held in both Madison, WI and Marshall, TX.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024, at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Reception/meal will be held on Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at 5529 Gettle Ave, Madison with an Irish Send-Off (including alcohol) for both Bill and Mary.

A second service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024, at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 N. Alamo, Marshall, Texas, with a reception in the parish hall following the service.

All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.866allfaiths.com.