Obituary of Dr. Mildred P. Cooper

Dr. Mildred Ellen Pivetz Cooper

Dr. Mildred Pivetz Cooper passed away on Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 in Buffalo, NY at the age of 97.

Dr. Cooper was born in Paterson, NJ on February 11, 1921, the daughter of the late Louis and Mary Pallay Pivetz.  She was predeceased by her husband, Franklin D. Cooper and her brothers, Louis, George, Albert and Richard Pivetz.  She is survived by her daughter Carol Cooper Chadsey and her son, Reid Franklin Cooper and their families.

Dr. Cooper grew up in Orange County, NY.  She was a star athlete in high school and was selected for the All County Girls Basketball team.  She received academic scholarships to Alfred University; she was named Orange County 4-H state representative to the Governor.

While at Alfred University, she majored in Math with a minor in English; was the President of the Women’s Student Government and officer of the Women’s Athletic Governing Board. She was awarded the “Alfred Blazer” for excellence in basketball, field hockey and other sports.  She was a member of the honor societies Phi Sigma Gamma and Alpha Tau Theta.  Mildred Ellen Pivetz was honored by being selected to  “Who’s Who Among students in American Universities and Colleges” 1941-1942.

Her early professional career began with teaching math and English in secondary schools in New York state; where she also served as Assistant Principal (1942 – 1945).

Subsequently, Dr. Cooper was appointed Executive Director of the Lockport, NY Girl Scout Council, Inc. where she served for 11 ½ years, and was much involved in community activities.

In 1958, she joined the western NY school study council at the University of Buffalo and was appointed Assistant Executive Director.  During this time she earned her Master’s degree and doctorate in Educational Administration.

After her marriage to Franklin Cooper, and relocation to Northern Virginia in 1964, Dr. Cooper was appointed to a key position in the Budget and Legislation Division in the Washington D.C. Public School System. Subsequently she was promoted to Assistant Superintendent and later, Associate Superintendent of the Division of Planning, Research and Evaluation of the System.  Dr. Cooper served for the DC Public Schools for 20 years until her retirement in 1984.  During her tenure, Dr. Cooper was selected for  “Who’s Who of American Women” 1975-1976, was invited to the White House by the President of the US, and was a member of Pi Lambda Theta.

After retirement, she and her husband moved to Orleans County, NY where they had a hobby farm.

After Franklin died, Dr. Cooper lived at Canterbury Woods in Williamsville, NY for 10 years.  She continued to be active: riding her tricycle, competing in bocce ball tournaments, going to the symphony, and enjoying visits from her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, April 3 at 12 o’clock noon at West Ridgeway Cemetery, Ridge Road, Medina, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dr. Cooper’s name to the Olmsted Center for Sight, 1170 Main St. Buffalo, New York 14209, http://olmstedcenter.org/.