Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
December 5, 2001
Zell Cooper, faithful Cathedral parishioner, dies at 93
Frail woman attended Mass 2-3 times daily to offer prayer
By Mary E. Manley
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception community experienced the loss of one of its most faithful parishioners, Zell Cooper, on Nov. 27. Cooper, 93, died after a brief illness.
Carole A. Brown, Cooper's only child, said that her mother was a retired waitress and manager for The Denver Club and also once had worked at the Holy Ghost Parish rectory in Denver. Brown added that Cooper, who had come to Denver in 1966 from her hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, lived near the Cathedral in the Argonaut Apartments. She said her mother, a widow, "would wish to be remembered as a loving mother and grandparent."
Although Brown resides in Palo Alto, Calif., she said that she was well aware of Cooper's reputation as a familiar and prominent figure at the cathedral.
"She was a devout Catholic who went to at least two daily Masses and three times on Sunday," Brown said. "Well-liked and well-known by friends and parishioners, she helped out there in a variety of ways, including at the food pantry."
Father Charlie Martinez, O.F.M., Cathedral parochial vicar, attested to Cooper's spiritual devotion and recalled that she always sat in the first row on the left middle aisle.
"Zell felt that, since she had become frail in her later years and couldn't put in a full day's work, she at least could make a community contribution by her prayers during her frequent attendance at Mass," he said. "She was a saintly woman and very holy in the best sense of the word. This sweet woman showed it by her faith and also by the way she treated people and by her generosity to others."
Father Martinez, who had known Cooper throughout his seven years at the Cathedral, continued, "It is sad when any of our parishioners pass away, but we know that she was well-prepared to pass on. She exuded peace while she was alive and I think that she took that peace with her as she rests right now."
Trina Baldevarona, another member of the Cathedral community, also remembered Cooper fondly as being generous. Baldevarona, parishioner since 1958 and regular volunteer since her retirement in 1990, shared more about the woman she called "passionate."
"I have known Zell since the 1970s and I know that she was not only generous at the Cathedral, but in the outside community as well, especially with children," she said.
Baldevarona good-naturedly shared some insight into Cooper's determination as a regular Mass attendee there, as well as at Holy Ghost Parish at one time.
"Zell was committed to always staying in the same Cathedral spot," she said. "One time, one of our priests was arranging for a special event and needed the space where she loved to sit. Upon requesting her to move, Zell replied, `God gave me this pew.' The priest responded back, `Well, this time, Zell, God is asking you to move.'"
With a chuckle, Baldevarona added, "When she wouldn't budge, he gave up."
Cooper did concede to move on at least one other occasion, though, Baldevarona said. She added that the beloved lady was hard-of-hearing and was known to keep on singing, praying, and reciting parts of the Mass when the congregation, including the celebrant, had moved on.
"May she rest in peace," Baldevarona said.
Cooper was born Zella Bernadette Soltis on Sept. 21, 1908, to a family of nine sisters and one brother. In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, she has two surviving sisters, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., presided at the Nov. 30 funeral Mass held at the Cathedral. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop José Gomez and Father Charlie Martinez, O.F.M.
Cooper was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Food Pantry at 1530 Logan Street, Denver, 80203.
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