Irene Marie Cooper (Knauf) died in peace at the age of 90 at Oak Trace Village in Downers Grove, Illinois, on November 8th, 2022. She was born on August 5, 1932 in Chicago as the beloved daughter of Charles and Gertrude Knauf. Irene spent her early years on Chicago’s south side. She graduated from Loretto High School, Class of 1950. She met the love of her life, John E. Cooper (deceased) from Patton, PA, at a dance with her friend Lillian Barowsky. John and Irene married in 1956 at Little Flower Church where their children, Carol, Patricia, and Janet were baptized and celebrated their communions. They raised their family only three houses away from her parents. In 1973, Irene and John moved their family to Western Springs, Illinois, and her parents joined them soon after. Irene enjoyed shopping in her spare time.

She is survived by her three daughters, Carol Cooper, Patricia Boland, and Janet Boyer; six granddaughters, Lauren and Jenna (Kaplan), Megan and Susan (Boland), Brittany and Nicole (Boyer); three son in-laws, Timothy Boland, Michael Kaplan, and Joseph Kelly; one grandson-in law, Carlos Chavez (Lauren Kaplan); two sister in-laws, Jane Sheehan (Cooper) and Nancy Austin (Cooper); and many nieces and nephews.

A wake will be held at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs on Saturday, November 19th at 10 am followed by a Mass of remembrance at 11 am. Entombment will be held at Christ the King Garden Mausoleum, Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, IL, following the mass.

In lieu of flowers, please offer a Mass in her honor.

Funeral Info: 708-352-6500