Sister Marie Anselm Cooper died in Camilla Hall on June 13, 2023. Sister suffered a fall which precipitated her sudden death.
Marie Alice Cooper was born on December 8, 1944. Sister’s parents Edward R. Cooper and Marguerite (Walsh) Cooper raised their family of two girls, Eileen and Marie, in Philadelphia.
Marie attended Transfiguration Elementary School (1950-1958) and Villa Maria Academy High School in Malvern (1958-1962). Marie’s education continued after entrance into the Community. Marie earned an A.B. in Theology from Immaculata University; an M.A. in Math from Villanova; a degree earned in the MSSS Program from Villanova; an M.S. degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and her PhD. In Physics from Rutgers College/University. Sister Marie was a very gifted student and even more gifted in her charity, gentleness, and selfless service.
Marie entered the Community on September 8, 1962; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Marie Anselm, on June 27, 1963; she professed her First Vows on June 27, 1965.
From the fall of 1965 through the school year ending 1976, Sister taught 7th and 8th grade children at St. Gabriel, Philadelphia; Assumption, Feasterville; and St. Francis deSales, Philadelphia.
From the fall of 1978 through the school year ending in 1988, Sister Marie taught high school students at Cardinal O’Hara, Springfield; Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg; Bishop O’Connell, Arlington, VA; and Immaculata in Somerville, NJ.
From the fall of 1988 through the academic year ending in 1995, Sister Marie studied at Villanova, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Rutgers University. At the conclusion of Sister’s academic study, Sister Marie served at Immaculata University as a professor of Physics from 1995 through the school year ending 2012.
On April 12, 2012, Sister Marie Cooper was elected to serve the Congregation as our General Treasurer; Sister was officially installed in this capacity on June 17, 2012. Once again, Sister was appointed to this task of General Treasurer in July 2018. Sister served faithfully and diligently on the Congregation’s behalf. During her second term of office, in the fall of 2020, Sister became ill and recognized the need to serve the Congregation in another capacity. With joy and humility, Sister Marie Cooper chose to return to her beloved Immaculata University to tutor students in need. Sister remained at the University until February 2022.
With utmost charity and love for her IHM Sisters, Sister Marie Cooper joined the Apostolate of Prayer Community at Camilla Hall on February 2022; Sister was well known for her beautiful smile and gentle kindness. Sister entered eternity on June 13, 2023.
Sister Marie Cooper is survived by her IHM Community, her dear and faithful friend of many years, Sister M. Catherine Danielle LeTourneau, IHM, her beloved sister, Eileen Campbell; her loving niece Kate Campbell Brophy (Rob), and her grandnephews Eamon and Seamus.
Sister’s dear parents Edward R. Cooper and Marguerite C. Cooper (Walsh), and her uncle, Reverend Edmond W. Walsh predecease Sister.
Reverend William Chiriaco and Reverend John Burger, SSC concelebrated Sister Marie Anselm’s Funeral Mass on Saturday, June 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.; Father Chiriaco delivered the homily.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355