Reverend Iris Jean Coover

She was born August 20, 1950 to Jean Marie (Spence) and Ira Dale Coover, Sr. in Newark,

Delaware. She was physically disabled with Arthrogryposis and walked with crutches and a

wheelchair her entire life. Iris was a very friendly person , and although she only stood at 4 feet 4 inches tall she had a big strong-willed personality, with an amazing drive for independence.

She graduated in 1970 from Newark High School, then earned a Bachelor’s degree from the

University of Delaware. She moved on her own to inner city Baltimore where she worked with children. She then moved to Boston and earned a Masters in Divinity at the Episcopal Divinity School associated with Harvard.

She obtained her driver’s license and a car, which was fitted with hand brakes and accelerator since she was not able to use her legs. After graduating with her Masters, she packed up her car and her dog Fergus, and drove (moved) to Berkeley, California where she earned another Master’s Degree.

She was very outspoken and had a hand in getting the American Disabilities Act (ADA) passed, which prohibits discrimination against all individuals with disabilities. From Berkeley she moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked on the Susquamish Native American Reservation as a counselor. She retired from the State of Washington as a social worker with Child Protective Services.

After many years of battling because she was a woman and disabled, she was finally ordained as a minister by the United Church of Christ in 2004. She then moved to Cathlamet, Washington and worked as a hospital chaplain and spiritual director there. Then she moved to Fredonia, Arizona where she volunteered at Best Friends Animal Society. She owned her own homes in Seattle,

Cathlamet, Fredonia, and finally Salisbury, Maryland where she lived her final three years near family.

She was able to travel to China and Israel, and other places during her life. She loved animals and had several canine companions throughout her life – Becca, Ron, Yvonne to name a few, and a house full of other pups. She once saved a dog from a mentally challenged man who was going to throw the dog o􀆯 a bridge. She gave the man $100 and took the dog (Betty) home to live with her.

Iris is survived by her older brother Ira Dale Coover Jr., sisters Tambra Coover Evans and Ellen Coover Bossert (Vint), 7 nephews, 4 great nephews, and 7 great nieces. She loved to introduce her younger sisters as her “little” sisters since they are much taller than her. In her memory we know that she would love for everyone to take care, be strong, and help others along the way.

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