Virginia May Cooper, 95, of Niagara Falls, New York, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026, at Niagara Hospice House. She was born in Niagara Falls, the daughter of the late Henry and Lynette (Keller) Fitzgerald.

Virginia attended local schools and graduated from LaSalle High School in 1948. On May 18, 1953, she married the love of her life, Maurice D. Cooper, Sr., who owned and operated the former Cooper Funeral Home in Niagara Falls for 35 years.

For more than 20 years, Virginia served as office manager for Dr. William Kraft, retiring in 1994. Deeply devoted to her community, she helped organize the LaSalle Jr./Sr. Class of 1948 reunions and remained active in many organizations, including the Prince of Peace Mothers Club, Bishop Duffy Mothers Club, St. Francis Guild, Rosary Altar Society, and the Niagara Women’s Club. She also volunteered at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital.

As the matriarch of the Cooper and Fitzgerald families, Virginia centered her life around her loved ones, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Virginia is survived by her children, Maurice D. (Barbara) Cooper, Jr., Christopher T. (Roberta Sherwood) Cooper, and LTC Curt S. (Rebecca) Cooper (retired US Army), PhD; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Maurice, in 2014, and by her two siblings, Kathleen (late Frank) Polley and John (Judy) Fitzgerald.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 24, at 11:00 AM at St. John de LaSalle Church, 8477 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for condolences.