Avril Cooper

COOPER, GASTEL, HAHN, BROWN, O’REILLY

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 4/8/2010 at 12:12:16

Avril Cooper, 86, formerly of 2332 Liberty Drive in Coralville, died Monday, April 5, 2010 at Windmill Manor in Coralville.

Avril was born December 19, 1923 in Oak Park, Illinois, the daughter of Albert and Katherine (Gastel) Hahn Sr. She held fond memories of growing up in Melrose Park, first living above her grandpa’s shoe store. She enjoyed adventures to the family farm in Buckley, to Maxwell Street in Chicago, and taking the train downtown to see the Christmas lights at Marshall Field’s and eating at Berghoff’s. After graduation from high school she worked at the American Can Company Research Lab in Maywood. During World War II she served as a hostess at the Chicago Service Men’s Center and her family often used their rations to serve home-cooked meals to visiting service men.

Avril met Howard Jay Cooper while working at the can company and married him on April 25, 1959. When they moved to Barrington, Avril was active with the women’s groups at Atonement Lutheran Church. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and crafts. She will be remembered for her smile and giving nature.

Survivors include her daughter Linda Jo Cooper-Brown and her husband Douglas Brown of Coralville; two grandsons, Christopher and William Brown, both of Coralville; niece Lisa (Hahn) O’Reilly and her husband Tim of Downer’s Grove, Illinois; plus all of the friends who were like family to her.

Avril was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one brother.