Anna Marie Cooper

October 7, 1932 - December 14, 2020

Anna Marie Cooper, 88, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 14, 2020. Anna Marie was born on October 7, 1932 to Jesse and Marie Reeves of Philadelphia, PA.  Growing up she enjoyed summers at the shore in Cape May.  She was dedicated to her education; graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1950 and later studied business at Temple University while working full time.  After WWII she served as a USO hostess where she met her sweetheart and husband of 58 years, Donald. They were married Oct. 2, 1954 in Philadelphia, later making their home in Nutley before retiring to Toms River. While raising three children she managed and assisted at Donald's dental practice.  She supported her husband's involvement in the Rotary Club and attended multiple Rotary International conferences and fundraisers. They were both recipient's of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Throughout her life Anna Marie was a woman of faith and dedicated herself to the ministries of the United Methodist Church.  She was a certified lay preacher and served communion to shut-ins.  She was involved in Church Women Untied for many years with the belief that all people can be joined together in faith.  A past president of the United Methodist Women's Group at both Vincent UMC, Nutley and St. Andrew UMC, Toms River, she actively participated in charity events and fundraisers to support outreach missions.  Her life was full of music; she played the piano and was a member of the church choir, later organizing and leading the music worship at Leisure Park Senior Living, Lakewood. Anna Marie loved to sing and enjoyed spending time baking with her grandchildren, cooking, crafting, knitting, and doing jigsaw puzzles. She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Donald A. Cooper and son, Steven. She is survived by her son, David Cooper; daughter Ruth Leonard and her husband John; three grandchildren: Steven, Daniel, Sarah and her husband Paul; a niece; a nephew; five great-nieces and nephews and many friends. No visitation will be held for the safety of friends and loved ones. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at a later date. Her final resting place will be in the Vincent UMC Cemetery Cooper Memorial Garden in Nutley, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Fulfill, formerly the Foodbank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties – 3300 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753 or online at https://fulfillnj.org/donate/.