Ann M. (McQueeney) Cooper, 75 of Greenville, RI passed away peacefully at her home on February 18, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones. She was the daughter of the late Francis J. McQueeney and Helen W (Quigley) McQueeney, North Providence. She was the beloved wife of Edmund G. "Ned" Cooper, Jr., Greenville.
Ann graduated from Saint Patrick High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Rhode Island College in 1970, and a Master of Education degree from Providence College in 1974. She was an elementary school teacher for 30 years in the city of Providence.
Besides her husband Ned, Ann was a second mom to Susan A. Parker (Robert), Edmund G. (Ted) Cooper III (Tara) and Michael F. Cooper (Penka). Devoted sister of Frances J. McQueeney and Mary Ellen McQueeney-Lally (Frank). Sister-in-law to Andrea Gledhill (Ted Burlingame), Diane Cardillo (Robert), Donna Carlson (David), Mary Ann Palumbo (Robert) and the late Joseph Cooper.
She was a happy, busy and proud Nana to Bobby, Steven and Jillian Parker, Natalie, Catherine and Weston Cooper and Anabella and Delilah Cooper. Ann was the doting aunt (lovingly known as Princess Ann) to Lally and Cooper nieces and nephews.
Ann cherished date nights with Ned. She also enjoyed doing yardwork in her gardens on a Saturday that ended in dining on steak and beans. Some of their greatest adventures included skiing in Innsbruck, Austria, camel-riding at the pyramids in Giza, helicopter hiking in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, vacationing at a Dude Ranch in Jackson Hole, and snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands, to name a few.
She hosted monthly Cooper Sundays and Thanksgivings, planned Lally children showers, and relished Tuesday and Wednesday night family dinners. She enjoyed catching up with the Friday night teacher gang, and anticipated Quigley gatherings on the Cape, in New Hampshire and family visits to Las Vegas. She was sure to leave early for the Thursday morning Scarborough Beach outings. Friday evenings Ann and Ned could always be found in their favorite seats at the Greenville Inn.
Ann was an avid reader, and a proud supporter of the Greenville Library. She was the Chairwoman of the Building Committee for the North Providence Union Free Library. She was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Saint Philip Church, Greenville.
Ann was always ready to listen and give sound advice. She took pride in her home repair skills and being able to keep up with technology. She was a creative gift wrapper, thoughtful problem solver, enthusiastic sports fan, and staunch supporter of women’s rights and equality. She loved a good party and thoroughly enjoyed celebrating holidays with her family especially the Super Bowl, 3rd of July, Lobster Fest, and September 1st.
Ann was a loyal friend, maintaining friendships from childhood. The bond she had with her sisters was rooted in respect and love. She also was cherished by her in-laws and their extended families, and shared with them many laughs and memories. She showed her unconditional love as a second mom to Sue, Ted and Mike, and was a treasured mother-in-law to Bob, Tara and Penka. She adored her grandchildren and they knew “Nana” to be their biggest cheerleader and supporter. Her love story with Ned was one for the ages that only deepened during their 32 years of marriage. She will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 23rd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, 2 Church Street, Greenville. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday Feb 24th at 10:00 a.m. at St Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Rhode Island Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence RI 02907.
RI Community Food Bank