OBITUARY

God first blessed us with our angel Patricia Cooper (nee Bernardo) affectionately known as “Patty” on April 5, 1940.  She went home to be with the Lord on November 10, 2014.  She was born in Scotch Plains, NJ to Lester, Sr. and Clara Bernardo who preceded her in death.  She grew up with her loving siblings from oldest to youngest:  Elaine Bernardo, Zarona Bernardo Thompson, Lester “Junie” Bernardo, Jr., Louis “Dee Dee” Bernardo, Roger “Waddie” Bernardo, Sr. and Leonard “Lennie” Bernardo, all who have also preceded her in death except Lester Bernardo, Jr. of Trenton, NJ. 

 The family relocated to Newark, NJ where there was better opportunity in the early 1950’s.  In 1957, she met her husband Warner Cooper who previously died in 2008.  From this union were born 7 beautiful children from oldest to youngest:  Dawn “Nae” Cooper, Wyndi “Bee Bee” Wilson (nee Cooper), Darren “Sam” Cooper, Karren “Kay” Cooper, Hope “Puddin” Cooper, Catherine Cooper and Lisa Cooper (deceased).  Aunt Patty also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, other family members and friends who love her dearly.

 Intelligence runs through the Bernardo and Cooper families.  Patricia was a benefactor of this trait. She graduated from high school and studied accounting at Essex County Community College in Newark.   She held an accountant position for a short time. Her most important position was loving and caring for her children. And what a mom she was and yet remains.  Her legacy of intelligence, kindness, compassion and love lives on through her children.  When you look at the loving hearts of her children, you see Aunt Patty.  She loved family gatherings, cooking, baking, reading and writing letters and cards to family members and friends and giving to charities. Above all she loved the Lord.  Although soft spoken with a humble demure spirit she was strong in her faith in God.  Influenced by her grandmother Catherine McIntyre (namesake of her youngest living child), she began  each day with devotion to prayer and Bible study.  Encouraging others was one of her strongest gifts.  She was wise, kind and laughed easily.  Her outer beauty was undeniable, but paled in comparison to her inner beauty.   Proverbs 31 describes her perfectly.  “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies….”  Thank you Lord for the rare jewel you gave us.  Help us all to hold in our hearts the precious virtues and beauty of Patricia Cooper forever… until we meet again.