Manuela Cooper

Manuela “Nellie” Cooper, 83, of El Paso, TX passed away on February 11, 2019. She was born on April 22, 1935 and is predeceased by her father and mother Placido and Patricia Cano of El Paso, TX. She married Manuel Avelino Cooper on November 28, 1959 and spent 53 years by his side until his passing on January 20, 2012. She was the proud mother of Margaret Cooper Lange (husband Reid Lange) of Sanger, TX, Mary Alice Cooper of Ashburn, VA and Mary Ann Cooper (husband Max Willis) of Austin, TX. She was the adored grandmother of Cooper and Lauren Lange and Caroline and Adam Alford. She was the devoted sister to Rosie Castro, Magdalena Cano, Placido Cano Jr, Gloria Juarez and Francisco Cano. Nellie grew up in El Paso, TX graduated from Ysleta High School and earned an associate degree from El Paso Community College. She had a Human Resources career at the City of El Paso and drew great pleasure finding the right job for her many applicants. She was an advocate of higher education and always encouraged family and friends to set goals, get a degree and never give up. After retirement, she and her husband bought an RV and traveled cross country meeting new people and visiting new places. They adored their grandchildren and would take them on extended summer trips with them. Her happy face pancakes will always be remembered as her signature breakfast treat. Nellie was a kind and generous person who loved life and adventure and most of all her family. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and her loud, infectious laugh that would light up a room and make all the people she met feel welcomed. Viewing ceremony will be held at Sunset Funeral Home – East, 750 N. Carolina in El Paso, TX on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 from 5 to 9 p.m. with a rosary service beginning at 7pm. The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Church. Burial will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=533491