Ella Jean Cooper

Ella Jean Cooper, 67, our beloved sister, aunt and cousin, completed a remarkable life on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 in Ogden, Utah. Born May 28, 1951 in Logan, Utah, Ella Jean was the second of the five children of Henry Scales and Mariam Phillips Cooper, who both preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Steven Fitzwater. She is survived by her siblings Rodney and Deanna Cooper (Bend, Oregon), Mary Ann Fitzwater (Dubois, Idaho), Philip and Suzanne Cooper (Park City, Utah), James and Leona Cooper (Centerville, Utah) and Deanne Kapetanov (Centerville, Utah).
Ella Jean lived the majority of her life in Wellsville, Utah until 1999, when she and her mother, Mariam, moved to Centerville to be closer to family. She attended schools in Cache Valley, graduating from Sky View High School. She was a proud Sky View Bobcat, wearing her treasured school ring the remainder of her life. She loved everyone she ever met and had numerous friends. She had a great recollection of details and was our family's go-to historical encyclopedia. She was a rare individual with great passion who made it clear what she liked and what she didn't like; who she liked and who she didn't like (except that she liked everyone). Among those things were: Utah Jazz, she was able to attend many games, meet the team, meet the Jazz Bear, and never missed a game on TV. She cheered loudly, calling all the players by their given names.   Movies, she has an elaborate collection of DVDs and a favorite activity was to shop for more DVDs. Her all-time favorite was Sound of Music and her most recent favorite was Beauty and the Beast, which we estimate she watched over 200 times.   Her cat, Shadow, and his predecessors.   Music, she loved Michael Ballam, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Elvis Presley.  Her stuffed animal collection, each with a unique name.   And, the ubiquitous Diet Coke at her side.   However, without question, the highlights of her life were her relationships. She loved people and was happiest when surrounded by people or making phone calls to her many friends. She always brought out the best in people. She had a wonderful smile, an unforgettable laugh and unconditional love for anyone she encountered. Her siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends will miss her dearly, but are so happy that she has been released from the physical limitations and trials of this life.
The family is grateful to the many friends from Wellsville, Centerville and other long distances who continued to visit her and to the caregivers at Lomond Peak Nursing Home.
A visitation will be held Saturday, June 16, 2018, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah 84010. Interment will be at the Wellsville City Cemetery, 400 North 200 East, Wellsville, Utah 84339. A short graveside service will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Wellsville Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation at UDSF.ORG or charity of your choice.