Lynda Ann Cooper

On November 12, 2023, Lynda Ann Cooper (née Collier Sherman) died peacefully in Longview at the age of 74, after a courageous and dignified battle with pancreatic cancer. Lynda was attended and comforted by family members at the time of her passing.

Lynda was born in Oakland, California, on February 10, 1949, the first child and only daughter of Anna Mae Pond and J.H. Collier. Growing up, Lynda made friends easily. She had a beautiful smile that could light up a whole room. At two and a half years old, she was crowned "Princess of Salinas" at the 1951 Monterey County Fair. She graduated from Canyon High School in Castro Valley in 1967, and in her senior yearbook, she wrote that she wanted to travel to South America.

In 1970, Lynda married her first husband and had two sons. Lynda was an accomplished manicurist, running a successful at-home nail business for many years. She was also a trained medical assistant and worked in a private doctor's office in the San Francisco Bay Area for most of her career. She lovingly raised Dalmatians, was the proud mom of a U.S. Army Ranger, and the proud aunt of two U.S. Marines. In 2001, Lynda married her second husband, William, and moved to the Monterey, California, area. After retiring, Lynda served as a eucharistic minister in the Catholic Church, providing holy communion to hospitalized parishioners. She also volunteered as a lay spiritual leader for Women's Cursillo, a three-day spiritual retreat focused on the teachings of Christ. Lynda's faith was a deep source of inspiration in her life which she used to help others.

Lynda adored animals, French cooking, collecting antiques, tole painting, lavender, reading with a cup of tea, fast cars, old films, decorating her home for each season, studying the history of the Civil War and World Wars I and II, and traveling with her husband, including to Hawaii, Mexico, and Australia. She especially cherished being a grandmother. Lynda's many friends would say she liked to "shop 'til she dropped," and she was a fierce video poker player. In 2018, Lynda and William moved to Cathlamet, a town they settled into quickly, loved exploring, and felt welcomed to.

Lynda was preceded in death by parents Anna Mae and J.H., stepfather Clint Sherman, with whom she shared a very special father-daughter relationship, and beloved grandparents John and Pearl McDonald.

Lynda is survived by husband William Cooper of Cathlamet; brother Jeffrey Collier (Giovanna) of Spokane; son Jeffrey Loucks (Holly) of La Mesa, California; son Bryan Loucks (Jessica) of Redding, California; stepdaughter Lisa Andonovska (Vedran) of Alexandria, Virginia; and stepson Christopher Cooper of Grass Valley, California. Lynda is also survived by nephews Caleb Collier (Jill) of Spokane; Jesse Collier (Jessica) of San Diego, California; granddaughters Arianna Loucks, Ava Crawford, Ayva Cooper, Aia Andonovska, and Della Andonovska; and seven great-nieces and great-nephews.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dowling Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Cathlamet on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Lynda's celebration of life luncheon will be in the church hall at 1:00 p.m .; all are welcome, and RSVPs to the family are kindly requested.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The family wishes to thank neighbors, the community, and the professional and caring staff from PeaceHealth Hospice and Holly Care Homes. Their sustained, extraordinary kindness and support during Lynda's illness could never be repaid but was deeply felt, and will be paid forward in honor of Lynda's giving spirit.

- Paid Obituary -