Marylin Jaye Cooper

Marylin Jaye Cooper, 92, of St. Charles MO passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Delmar Gardens care center in O’Fallon MO. Her devoted husband of 72 years, George, was at her side when she took her last breath.

Marylin was born on November 17, 1931, in Dekalb IL to Ole and Marion (Benson) Hall and grew up in Steward IL. She received her RN from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria IL in 1952.While she was in nurses training, she met George, who was home visiting after completing Navy boot camp. They were married in Steward on July 26, 1952.

Marylin’s first job out of nursing school was at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis Tennessee where George was stationed for shore duty. When George shipped out to sea, she moved to Aurora IL where she worked at Copley Memorial Hospital. When George was discharged from the Navy, they moved to Angola IN, where Marylin worked as an industrial nurse at Weatherhead Corporation while he attended college. After their daughter Pam was born, Marylin quit working to become a full-time mother and homemaker. In later years after Pam left home, she worked briefly as school nurse in the St. Charles MO School District. She was very proud of being a nurse and was always willing to share her experiences with people aspiring to become nurses themselves.

Marylin was a skilled seamstress, knitter, and quilter. She also enjoyed playing golf. She was an avid reader, particularly of biographies and historical nonfiction. She loved dogs and cared for five family dogs over her lifetime. She was an active member of Church Women United and the Junior League. As part of her Junior League service, she helped organize the St. Charles Bicentennial celebration, which was the city’s first-ever Festival of the Little Hills.

She is survived by her husband, George, of St. Charles, her daughter, Pam, of Columbia, by two nieces, Terry Polanin (Rick) of Metamora IL and Susan Barth (Karl) of New Lisbon WI, a nephew, Jay (Deb) Albright of Clive IA, and a cousin, Nancy Dowling of Spartanburg SC. She was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, Patricia Albright, and a niece, Tammie Westerbeck.

The family is grateful to the staff of Delmar Gardens and Pathways Hospice for their excellent care of Marylin in the last two months of her life.

A private memorial service is being planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marylin’s name can be made to Five Acres Animal Shelter, 1099 Pralle Ln., St. Charles MO 63303.