I wrote the following poem, remembering the sea in her eys and the ocean winds in her hair:
By the Shore
(After Teasdales’ “On the Dunes”, for Rosemary)
If there is any life when death is over,
The Newport Shore will know much of me,
I shall come back, glorious in both sun and shadow
As the constantly changing waves upon the cliffs.
If my life was small, and I become scornful,
Forgive me; I shall straighten like a great wave cresting
In the great calm of death, and if you want me
Walk into the ocean by the shore, and call my name..
Written 1/23/08
Deb Sirotkin Butler
I will miss her for the rest of my life; but will renew my commitment to justice for all, and to pursue what is right not what is popular.
HER DEATH NOTICE
http://obits.masslive.com/mass…
Rosemary J. Cooper
Attorney Rosemary J. Cooper 1939-2008 SPRINGFIELD – Attorney Rosemary J. (Wheeler) Cooper, a longtime resident of East Long-meadow, 68, passed away peacefully surroun-ded by her loving family on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at Baystate Medical Center. Rosemary was born on February 4, 1939, a daughter of the late Robert and Mary (Marco) Wheeler. She was a graduate of Commerce High School Class of 1956, and went to work for R. E. Phelon Company in East Longmeadow for twenty years. Rosemary pursued her education and graduated summa cum laude in 1980 from Western New England College with a B.A. in Business Administration. She graduated in 1988 from Western New England Law School and passed the bar in Massachusetts and Arizona. She opened her practice and also became a Bar Advocate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She was a Certified Professional Secretary and a former president of the National Secretaries’ Association. In 1976 she was awarded the N.E. District Secretary of the Year, and in 2005 she was awarded the Lawyer’s Weekly Lawyer of the Year. Rosemary also received the “Hero Award “at the first annual award ceremony of the Massachusetts Association of Court Appointed Attorneys. She was a communicant of St. Michael’s Church in East Longmeadow. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Sarah Lynn Cooper. Rosemary is survived by her devoted son, Donald R. Cooper and his wife, Ann both of Agawam, one caring brother, Robert E. Wheeler of East Longmeadow, two loving sisters, Mildred Douville of East Longmeadow, and Sharon Lachtara of Westfield, three cherished grandchildren, Jenna Davis, Brandi Cooper, Hannah Cooper all of Agawam, and one great-granddaughter, Hailey, and she also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and a dear cat, Casey, of ten years. Attorney Cooper’s funeral will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 9A.M. from the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow. Followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10A.M. in St. Michael’s Church 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow. Rites of Committal will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Tinkham Road, Springfield. Family and friends are invited to the calling hours on Friday from 4-7P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the D’Amour Center for Cancer, 3550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107.
Published in The Republican on 1/24/2008.
