Brenda Levinson

Brenda was born in New York City on October 18, 1957, the daughter of Sidney and Sylvia Levinson. She grew up in the Bronx in a housing project, where she attended Christopher Columbus High School. She earned both her undergraduate degree in English and law degree from SUNY Buffalo — a testament to the drive and pragmatism that would define her throughout her life. After beginning her legal career at a small law firm in Brooklyn, she found her true calling at the Bronx Supreme Civil Court, where she served with distinction as a court attorney referee for approximately 35 years. In the Bronx, she worked on matrimonial and election matters, including presiding over testimony from former NYC Mayor David Dinkins during an elections proceeding.

Brenda's impact on the legal community extended well beyond the courthouse. For 13 years, she served as President of the Court Attorneys' Association of the City of New York. Her role as the longest tenured president of her labor union was a defining part of her legacy, which reflected both her colleagues' deep respect for her and her own commitment to the people she worked alongside. After her retirement, she continued to serve her union as a trustee of the union’s welfare fund.

Outside of work, Brenda was above all devoted to her family and always made them her top priority. She was always ready with a big warm smile, and she always showed up for family events and major milestones. In her later years, she didn’t let her cancer treatments or dialysis stop her from celebrating B’nai mitzvot or weddings. She had a particular passion for travel — most especially to Disney (around the world) and Aruba. In her final years, she became a proud and enthusiastic dog grandma.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Mark Cooperman, and her son, Harry Cooperman, her extended family, including brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and all the friends whose hearts she touched with her kindness, strength, and perseverance.

A Funeral Service will be held at Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375, US, on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, with a live stream available at https://fweb.tv/253231.  

A Committal Service will take place at New Montefiore Cemetery, 1180 Wellwood Ave, West Babylon, NY 11704, US, on May 15, 2026, from 1:15 pm to 1:45 pm.