Mabel Cooper was born July 21, 1922, at Charette Lake near Wagon Mound, New Mexico. She was the youngest of the three sons and three daughters of Palita (Mondragon), and Federico Chavez. She was raised in New Mexico where she attended public school. She held her education in high regard, but especially loved playing basketball where the girls’ teams would travel to surrounding towns to compete. She finished her schooling when the family moved to Rock River, Wyoming.

Mabel worked in various occupations, but found her calling in private duty healthcare where she faithfully and lovingly ministered to numerous patients and family members. She devoted herself tirelessly to advance their health.

Mabel loved her Catholic faith and was for many years a devout member of St. Laurence O’Toole parish in Laramie, WY. She joined the Third Order of St. Francis where she, for a time, served as secretary that culminated in a lifelong commitment of living the Gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. She also took great satisfaction in being a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Medicine Bow and in Laramie WY, as well as in Moscow, ID.

Mabel loved road trips and had and adventurous spirit. She was an avid reader and loved to write. She also had a special place in her heart for animals who often exhibited an uncanny devotion to her. As a child, she had had a badger for a pet. When we commented “that she must have been the only kid in the neighborhood to have a pet badger,” she said, “I was the only one stupid enough to have one!” It never bit of scratched her.

Mabel had a flair for interior decoration and design. Artistically gifted, she created floral arrangements by crafting flowers from crepe paper and dipping them in a paraffin substance that gave them the look of fresh flowers. She would sew costumes for plays, did embroidery and needlework, ceramics, and painting. She sewed and designed women’s hats that were exquisite and that were highly sought after. To the delight of her grandchildren, for each holiday season she would craft from paper baby animals, fairies, leprechauns, and such, each being highly detailed and colored.

Mabel met her husband, Frank Cooper (1893-1976) a long-time rancher of Medicine Bow, WY and they were married in 1943. Mabel Helped Frank in the raising of two girls and a boy from his first wife’s sister. They later raised three girls of their own. They divorced in 1960.

Mabel is survived by her daughters Shirley Jean Heney of Flower Mound, TX, Jessie Marie Buckingham of Casper, WY, and Nelda (Scott) Peterson of Emmett, ID; grandchildren Jill Heney, Joel (Casady) Heney, Gwendi (Cory) Rietz, Cary (Kami) Poledna, Yod (Jackie) Neal, Nolan Neal, and Heather (Derrick) Blanchard; great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Mabel is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Fred, Joe, and Alex Chavez, and two sisters Juanita Duran and Ruth Urban.

Although Mabel was a very shy private person, people were drawn to her quiet strength and dignity. She was an exceptionally beautiful woman retaining that beauty far into her later years. Mabel was blessed with many friends. Her inspiring endurance and hope amid almost a century of life’s challenges touched the lives of many.

Visitation from 4-7 P.M. Thursday March 3, 2022 at Montgomery Stryker Funeral Home. Funeral Liturgy 2:30 P.M. Friday March 4, 2022 at St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.

The family of Mabel Cooper give special thanks to her caregiver from Park Place, Garden Square, Shepherd of the Valley and Central Wyoming Hospice.