Carolyn Irene Cooper

Our dear mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend passed away in Marble Falls, Texas on April 6th.  at the young age of 91.  Carolyn Irene Cooper (formally Carolyn Cooper Gundelach) was born in Houston, Texas on May 24, 1932 to William Prince Cooper and Elsie Penfield Cooper.

     Carolyn was an amazing person. She was witty, creative, funny, intelligent, and beautiful. She graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, Texas in 1951 where she excelled in her academics, basketball, the school newspaper, and head cheerleader for the Columbus Cardinals. Carolyn loved to play tennis and taught tennis to many other’s in her small town. She attended University of Houston and nursing school at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston. As her children attended school, she became everyone’s favorite teacher at Thompson Intermediate School in the Sagemont area of Houston. Also, as an elder at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in south Houston, she led as an example for others.  She later diligently studied and earned her certification as an Ophthalmic Technician and Ophthalmist, working many years before retiring from the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute.

     She retired to the lovely Texas Hill Country, spent time with family, traveled, and was a member of the Highland Art Guild of Marble Falls as an active artist. She especially enjoyed creating art from mother-nature’s gourds (Gourd Art).  

     Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents William & Elsie Cooper, brother William Penfield Cooper, and sister Margaret Cooper Percival.  She is survived by her sisters Elsie Cooper Hagenlocker and deceased husband Richard Hagenlocker, and Mary J. Cooper Franklin and husband Michael. Survived, as well, by her four children, son David Charles Gundelach, daughter Diane Gundelach Doherty and husband Kevin, daughter Jan Gundelach Woods and husband Chuck, and daughter Joan Marie Gundelach. She is also survived by grandson Travis Penfield Doherty and wife Jessica, granddaughter Olivia Woods Rich and husband Cam, grandson Taylor Franklin Doherty, granddaughter Annmarie Jessamy Woods and husband Josh Zimmerer, and grandson Trey David Doherty and wife Erika. And, great-granddaughter Josephine Jane Doherty and Bella Rose Doherty (parents Travis and Jessica).

     We ask that in lieu of flowers that Memorial Contributions be made to:

      Living Love Animal Rescue and Sanctuary

      http://livingloveanimalrescue.org/donate/

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