Ann S. Cooper

Angiolina “Ann” S. Cooper, of Raritan Township, New Jersey, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023, at her home. She was 97 years old.

Ann was born in Staten Island, New York, on January 27, 1926. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Maria Ramaciato Santoro. Her siblings were Joan, Tony, Joseph, and Connie.

Ann grew up in the Richmond Borough section of Staten Island and attended St. Joseph’s School from grades 1-8. After graduation from Curtis High School, she became a working woman and commuted to her job in Manhattan on The Staten Island Ferry. The Santoro family loved music and dance. Her dad sang every morning before work. Ann taught herself to play harmonica and sang with her grammar school chorus at Carnegie Hall. Her brother, Tony was a singer. Together they entered and won a jitterbug contest in NYC. She and Tony decided to have an adventure and moved West. They took the train to Los Angeles, California, where they pursued dancing and singing opportunities. She loved sharing stories of her happy time on the west coast during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. She was an Usherette at the Warner Hollywood Theatre where she greeted people and even served popcorn to a few movie stars. She attended night school and studied art and theatre.

Originally, Ann planned to settle in California. She decided to take the train back East Coast one more time. She moved to Chatham, NJ and got a job at Chubb and Sons Insurance company. There she met her lifelong friend Gloria “Babe” Cohn who encouraged her to go on a date with the man who would become her future husband, the late Donald W. Cooper. They were married at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in South Orange, New Jersey in 1954. In 1961 they moved to Florham Park, New Jersey, a close-knit community.

In the early 1980’s, Ann attended Stafford Hall School of Business in Summit, New Jersey, where she completed secretarial courses. She was employed by Automatic Switch Company and Vydec, Inc. before her retirement to Clearwater, Florida. She and her husband enjoyed their time in Florida where they volunteered at Mease Dunedin Hospital transporting patients and met many new friends. During their retirement they made many car trips across the USA. Ann and Don moved back to New Jersey in 2009 to be closer to family. Together, they enjoyed spending time with their family, and attending their grandson’s (Scott/Brian) sporting event. Above all, “her family was everything.”

Ann was a vibrant and meticulous woman of many passions. She made it her business to be happy. In her later years she became an avid reader. She was a great cook. She loved dogs. DJ, a mischievous and affectionate brown Miniature Poodle, was her first dog. Over the years she had 17 grand dogs, whom she adored. For those who knew Ann, she was a very pulled together and fashionable woman who had a youthful glow and a positive attitude. She was also a person of faith who enjoyed spending time with her very special bible study group. She gave to her family, friends and community in quality ways mostly with her kindness, generosity, and genuine spirit.

In addition to her parents, Ann was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, the late Donald Walter Cooper, who died in 2019. Their marriage embodied true love and devotion. Surviving Ann are her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and C.T. Cooper Wu; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Susan Cooper; two grandsons, Scott and Brian Cooper; beloved grand dogs, Pong, Lumi, Twink, and Sisu Mei; nieces and nephews. Ann was blessed with a best friend, Mrs. Gloria Cohn of Mountainside, who was a “sister” for over 70 years.

Proud of being part of the “greatest generation”, she will be interred privately with her husband at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, Pennsylvania. A Celebration of Life at the Flemington Fields Clubhouse is also being planned for a later date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent by mail to Calvary Episcopal Church, 44 Broad Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Cremation services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.