Sondra Ann Cooper

Sondra (Sonnie) Cooper, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 86. Sondra Ann Emerson was born March 29, 1932 in Lima, Ohio to William and Bernice Emerson.

Sondra’s greatest joy in life arose from the relationships she nurtured and held dear. Married for 64 years to her college sweetheart, Lee Hayes Cooper, who she met at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, she was the woman behind the man who founded Lee’s Cyclery in Fort Collins in 1964. She was also the cycling companion who travelled the world with him. As a mother of four, she strongly believed in letting her children be creative and choose their own paths in life. All of them rose to the challenge, which made her very proud. Having lost her own mother when her children were very young, she grew close to her mother in law, with whom she bonded over their mutual love of fashion.

A good friend to many, she reveled in close attachments, some made years ago through the Newcomer’s Club, which she joined when they first moved to Fort Collins. Those connections led to the frequent dinner parties, bridge games and tennis matches which she so loved. She gave back through her volunteer work for The Museum of Contemporary Art; Meals On Wheels; the PTA; PEO, chapter AL; and singing in the Fort Collins Women’s Chorus. Sondra loved reading, country music, wintering in Palm Desert, and above all, being with friends and family.

She is survived by her four children: Victor Cooper (wife Lisa) of Littleton, Colorado; Christy Jacobson (husband Ralph) of Point Richmond, California; Lisa Runstrom (husband Erik) of Fort Collins, Colorado; and David Cooper (wife Elisabeth) of Oakland, California. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Davies of Cave Creek, Arizona, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee, in 2017.

The family would like to thank the wonderful people at Seniors Helping Seniors for their companionship and daily walks with Sonnie; Jason Brabson at Heart and Soul Paratransit for his compassion and much appreciated rides; and Dave and Betty at Covell Care and Rehabilitation for their patience and kindness.