Valerie Cooper was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She left this world far too soon on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at the age of 71.

She was born to John (1923-2017) and Melvina (1924-2013) Keegan on September 27, 1952 in Staten Island, New York. Valerie spent the first half of her life lucky enough to work in the family business, The Keegan Agency, started by her father, John. This allowed her to do what she loved most in life, helping others while also having the ability to spend her work days with her beloved family.

Valerie married Andrew “Tim” Timmins (1949 – 2017) and they had their daughter Jean Marie, in 1981. The three of them moved to Florida from New York in 1994 where Valerie continued to work in the insurance industry. Though her and Tim’s relationship turned out to be less permanent than either of them expected, both went onto remarry and remained good friends.

Valerie, reconnected with the love of her life, Sherwood “Rick” Cooper, later in life and long after their first encounter when they quickly fell in love as kids in 1964. They married on May 19, 2013 and their love only grew from there.

It is impossible to describe what a wonderful and caring person Valerie was, but anyone who knew her, even if for a moment, could tell she was special in ways no one else could be. Family, friends, and strangers could feel her kindness, and often relied on her for comfort, support, and a good laugh. She was the best mother the world could offer and loved her grandchildren fiercely. Her absence will leave a void to anyone who was lucky enough to have had her in their lives. She was the glue that held her entire extended family together and she will be missed beyond measure.

Valerie is survived by her husband, Sherwood Rick Cooper; daughter, Jean Marie Burke and her husband, Shane; grandchildren, Emma and Jackson Burke; siblings, Mary Regina Strandberg, Joseph Keegan and his wife Yolanda, John Keegan and his wife Joyce, Martin Keegan and his wife Dolores, Michael Keegan and his wife Fran along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in New Smyrna Beach, FL on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11 AM. She will be entered into rest at the Van Keuren cemetery in Swan Lake, NY at a later date.

If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8357765&fr_id=154020&pg=personal©_link_share