Marie G. (McCullough) Cooper, 92, of Ebensburg, PA and formerly of Hillsdale, PA, died on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at her home.
The daughter of Elmer W. and Mabel Marie (Sensabaugh) McCullough, she was born on August 20, 1927 in Indiana, PA.
Marie was a graduate of Green Twp. High School.
On January 24, 1948, Marie married Paul L. Cooper and they shared over fifty-eight years of marriage together.
Marie loved people, especially children. Marie and Paul owned and operated Cooper’s Market in Hillsdale from 1972-1979. In their store was a bulletin board where neighborhood kids would bring their school photos to be displayed, as well as come to peruse the candy area at the front of the store to make the big decision as to what candy would be selected for their little brown paper bags. If you gave Marie a dime to get ten penny candies, she would purposefully pretend she miscounted and you knew you would be going home with an extra piece or two or even three.
She was also a caregiver and babysitter to her nieces, nephews and the neighborhood children.
Marie assisted her daughter when Lori was the owner and operator of Flowers In Hillsdale from 1994 thru 1999. Marie could be found in various jobs ranging from joyfully interacting with customers to dedicatedly taking the old blooms and foliage off the flower shop’s exterior landscape plantings.
Throughout the 1970’s to the early 2000’s Marie had also helped out part time at the Rairigh Funeral Home in Hillsdale, where her warmth and friendliness were gratefully welcomed along with her superior sewing and ironing skills.
Marie loved to sew. Over the past decades Marie specialized in making unique aprons adorned with interesting trims and buttons.
She had enjoyed vegetable gardening with her husband and Marie spent hours canning
their harvests. An accomplished cook and baker, she was known for her homemade bread and sticky buns.
Marie possessed a lifelong affection for animals and a definite love for cats. Her cat Jozi has shared Marie’s home and life for fourteen years.
Marie is survived by her daughter, Lori (Cooper) Berkoski and husband, Pete of Colver, PA; her sister, Marjory Wallace and husband, John of North East, PA and sister-in-law, Cheryl McCullough of Dixonville, PA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul who passed away on December 7, 2006 and her siblings: Avanelle Deitman; Marcella Kanarr and Frank “Bud” McCullough.
Private arrangements officiated by Pastor Robert Sunseri are with the assistance of the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA. Interment will be at the Thompson Cemetery in Hillsdale, PA.
In recognition of Marie’s fondness of animals, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Cambria County at 743 Galleria Drive Extension; Johnstown, PA 15904 and via www.hscc-online.org.
