SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Shirley Y. Cooper, 100, died on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, N.H. She was born Nov. 4, 1925, in Springfield, Vt., the daughter of Sidney R. and Ethel (Shippy) Young. She attended Springfield Schools, graduating from Springfield High School, Class of 1943.
On June 14, 1947, she married Maurice E. “Bill” Cooper in Springfield, Vt. He predeceased her in 2013.
Shirley was proud to be a lifelong resident of Springfield. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Ladies Aid Society with the church. She was also a member of the 29ers, the RSVP, the Springfield Hospital Auxiliary, and served on the Springfield Senior Center Board, as well as belonging to the senior center knitting group called The Knit Wits. She was a community poll worker, and a Red Cross volunteer. Her hobbies included skiing, knitting, sewing, ceramics, and cooking. For her recent 100th birthday party, Shirley was honored with resolutions from the Springfield Selectboard, and from the Vermont House of Representatives. She also received a letter from the governor of Vermont, and a card from the president of the United States honoring her for her 100th birthday and her community service.
She is survived by her daughter Deanna C. Dexter (Buddy); and three grandchildren Meredith D. Kelley (Patrick), Richard “Deke” Dexter (Jacqueline) and Jennifer Cooper Hunt (Kurt). Shirley had five great-grandchildren Finnegan and Gwendelyn Kelley, Natalie Dexter, and Henry and Levi Hunt; daughter-in-law Linda Cooper; as well as several nieces and nephews; and one sister- in-law.
She was predeceased by her husband Bill, her son Curtis E. Cooper, and by her six siblings Sidney E. Young, Bernard S. Young, Francis A. Young, Robert P. Young, Barbara Y. Ross and Richard C. Young.
A funeral service will be held at on Sunday, March 15, at the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt. Visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery, at a later date.