As we prepare to honor and celebrate the life of Jan, we'd love to hear your memories and reflections. We've created a survey to collect memories and insights. Participation is completely optional, and you can remain anonymous if you wish.

https://docs.google.com/forms…

Thank you for helping us celebrate Jan's remarkable life and the love she shared with everyone around her.

If you have any questions, concerns, or want to share more memories or information please feel free to contact me, Renée Cooper, Jan's granddaughter, directly at re.cooper.97@gmail.com.

I started St. Josephs as a 4th grader in 1988. I didn't have her as a teacher until 6ht grade but I knew who she was! She was always smiling but she would say, "what part of NO don't you understand the N or the O? Lol. She loved cows and someone from my 7th grade class gave her a giant cow, it became a tradition for the boys to punch the cow in the face on the way in or out of class daily haha. I was so lucky to have the great trio of teachers from 6th through 8th grade. She was definitely a memorable teacher. When I was in 8th grade the all girls school Notre Dame came and talked about the school and why we should attend. I was convinced, I told her I was going to apply. Without me asking she wrote a letter to them for me. She had said earlier to the boys that she wasn't going to write letters for anyone to go to Bellarmine so for her to volunteered a letter of recommendation for me, I was so touched! She believed in me, even when I was unsure of myself.

At 8th grade graduation that year she was handing out awards and she was talking about a special award that wasn't given out every year, I was wondering which staight A student was going to get this award, when she called my name I had a Miss American moment, I totally cried out of shock lol. It was such a special moment, it was an award for effort. Did I have great grades? No, but did I try, yes and she recognized that in me. I loved her for seeing how special I was and how special each of us are.

Later after I finished college I reached out when she was principal, I was so in awe of her as principal and sitting in her office talking to her I still felt 13 but I was there offering my graphic design services to the school, I designed a poster for the class rooms. I was so excited to get to give back to her and the school.

A few years ago I finally became a mother, she sent me a something from my gift registry. It meant so much to me that she did that! So thoughtful and still so sweet! I hope that I am half as impactful on other people as she has been on all of us.

She was the teacher we all needed but didn't deserve. She made science interesting and life amazing! We love you Mrs. Cooper! 78 years was not enough! I hope you are truly happy wherever you are now, you deserve it!

Marie Kandler - Class of 1993

Jan, or Mrs.Cooper as I called her, was my 8th grade teacher at St.Josephs. She had high expectations for all of our class, and was a dedicated educator while still maintaining a great sense of humor as a teacher.  

One of the memories of my year with her that always sticks with me was the time she had our entire class spend recess watching a “flying” shoe. Somehow, during small group activities, the class got a little rowdy and a shoe was launched from one side of the room to another. Of course, none of us knew how it happened! Mrs. Cooper deemed that it must have been a magical shoe that could fly, and that we had to keep a careful eye on it during our recess to make sure it didn’t fly again. So our class sat on the edge of the dodgeball circle, spending our entire recess watching the shoe that was trapped under a milk crate to see if it would fly again. I can still remember how slowly the minutes ticked by as we all sat and stared at the shoe. 

The children I’ve worked with for the last 15+ years have heard this memory so many times over the years- typically whenever the group tries to make up a story that is just as ridiculous and unbelievable. I then share the story of the flying shoe, we all laugh and I ask them if they want to try telling me what really happened. It works without fail and I get to hear the truth of what actually happened. 

The world is a better place with teachers like Mrs. Cooper in it. She will be missed and I am grateful that she was a part of my life. 

Dear Auntie, we didn't get many visits over life, but I always felt loved, and secure in your home and space. Thank you for laughing and also being a anchor to the boys. When they would start to scare me with stories and such, you always put them in line.

I was praying these last 5 years that your body would heal. I know  you are comforted by loved ones and Jesus all around you now. 

I miss being young and being around you. I do think as times settles down Ron and I can connect and strengthen one another with Cooper Jokes/humor and all that craziness.  

I will love on Mary and Bob for you and make sure they stay out of trouble. You were a lifeline to her. You are missed. You are loved, 

Michelle Cooper now West and Joe West