Helen Mae Janice Cooper

Paxinos – Surrounded by family and love, Helen Mae Janice Cooper, 86, of Irish Valley went to be with our Lord and Savior, and family that proceeded her on August 17, 2025.

Born on January 27, 1939, Irish Valley, she was the second-oldest daughter of the late Elmer and Helen (McFall) Lenker. Raised on a farm and educated in a one-room schoolhouse that still stands today, Helen graduated from Shamokin High School in 1956 and enjoyed class reunion lunches in her final years. She went on to graduate from the Maryland Medical Secretarial School in Hagerstown MD in 1957.

On October 25, 1958, Helen married her soulmate, a handsome young Marine from Shamokin, Lt. Col Edwin M. Cooper, who preceded her in death in December 2021 after 63 years of marriage. With grit and grin, Helen served over 30 years as a Marine wife at East and West Coast duty stations and raised two sons before she and Ed retired back in the local area. During that time, Helen and Ed built a home in Irish Valley where they proceeded to raise their granddaughters, Courtney and Peyton, after the untimely death of their youngest son. As ‘Nima,’ she attended their every game, concert, and school event full of pride and love. Her phone was often busy, as she was a faithful and encouraging listener, especially for her granddaughters. In addition to being a great artist, Helen loved cooking, sewing, and sharing these essential skills with all her grandchildren. Her legacy recipes for apple butter and chili sauce will be enjoyed by generations to come - her strawberry jam was “The Jam!” She also enjoyed birdwatching and music. She was comforted by her bedroom window visitors, her favorite hymns, and the classic “You are My Sunshine” prior to leaving us.

Helen is survived by her oldest son, Lt. Col Chuck Cooper, USAF Retired, and his wife Shawne of VA; four grandchildren, Courtney Cooper and her husband Jeff Magerko, Peyton Cooper and her wife Dani, Lora Cooper and Simon Cooper; three sisters, Doris Gargie and her husband Rik, Rosanna Battista and her husband Joe, and Shirley Kautter and her husband John; and a sister-in-law, Jeanne Lenker. In addition to her husband Ed, Helen is preceded in death by her son, Tadd Cooper; brother, Patrick Lenker; and sister-in-law, Nancy Cooper (Machusak).

FUNERAL NOTICE

Helen Mae Janice Cooper, 86 of Paxinos – Funeral service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Dementia Society of America in Helen’s name. Arrangements are being cared for by Farrow-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 240 W. Chestnut Street Shamokin, PA, Lori Ann Campbell, Supervisor. To send condolences to the family please visit www.FarrowFH.com