Ethel May (Schofield) Cooper, 97, passed peacefully on Wednesday October 31, 2018 at the E T York Hospice Care Center. Ethel was born on July 15, 1921 in Chelsea, MA to William Arthur Schofield and Dorcas Jenny (Siggins) Schofield. Her mother died when she was 18 months old and her father married Mercy Catherine (Warren) Schofield. She graduated from North Attleboro High School in 1939. Ethel married C. Charles “Curly” Cooper on June 28, 1941. They were longtime residents of Plainville, MA, moving to Gainesville, FL in 1996.
In Ethel’s lifetime she was a waitress, school lunch worker, cashier at a local general store, and for many years worked in the office of The Plainville Stock Company. She was a Girl Scout leader, member of the Plainville American Legion Auxiliary, PTA, and a member of the Plainville United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school. Upon moving to Gainesville, she became a regular attendee of Trinity United Methodist Church, attending the Fishermen Sunday School class and ALERT. Ethel offered comfort and support to her friends and family, faithfully sending them cards during the good times and the bad.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, and her step-brother Howard Jacques. Surviving are her daughter Nancy Bibbo of Gainesville, her son Rick Cooper and his wife Marty of Rochester, NH, 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at a later date in Plainville, MA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Haven Hospice 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606.
