Madlyn Cooper

Madlyn Gertrude Stewart was born August 7, 1924 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Her parents, Gertrude and Andrew Gaffney, separated when she was 10, and following this she was lovingly received into the home of Rebecca and William Thompson in Closter, NJ. Madlyn often told her own children funny and tender stories of her childhood years growing up with Grandma and Pop Thompson, and spoke fondly of Grandma's daughter and son-in-law, Mattie and Charles Oliver.

After graduating from high school, Madlyn worked for the US government in Washington, DC. She declined the opportunity to transfer to Germany with work, instead choosing to return to Closter to care for her ailing grandmother. While working in the immigration department at Ellis Island, Madlyn was courted by the young and dashing John Dismond Cooper from New York City. John and Madlyn married in March 1955, and the couple eventually settled in Poughkeepsie, New York. As John developed his management career at IBM, Madlyn raised their four children—Kym, Karen, John Jr. and Paul—with love and devotion.

In 1975, John and Madlyn moved to White Plains, New York. Not long thereafter, Madlyn, in addition to raising her family, went back to work for the City of White Plains in the Section 8 department, where she remained for 10 years. A diligent and pleasant worker, Madlyn was loved and respected by her co-workers and the clients she served. After her retirement in 1991, she continued to be a rock of support for her family, while spending her free time enjoying the company of friends and participating in church activities.

Madlyn is survived by her husband of 58 years, John Sr.; her eldest daughter, Kym; and youngest son, Paul. Her middle daughter, Karen, passed over in 1999 and her middle son, John Jr., passed over in 2013. Madlyn is also survived by her five grandchildren: Javana, Joshua, Alanna, Zoe and Christian.

Madlyn’s personality might best be remembered as compassionate, fun loving, sympathetic, and when necessary, trenchant and feisty. She was loyal to a fault to her family and friends, and was patient and generous to strangers. She was a faithful believer in Jesus Christ and drew strength and joy from being close to God. Madlyn was a quiet prayer warrior, laboring in prayer for her family and those around her and, in keeping with her faith, she would want her loved ones to celebrate her passing into God’s loving arms. We give thanks that her final hours were peaceful.

Our mother will be missed deeply and, while we mourn our loss, we are grateful for the wonderful wife, mother and grandmother God gave us. She touched many lives with her love and her legacy will continue in her children and grandchildren.