Sara Joyce Cooper

Anchorage resident Sara Joyce Cooper, 80, died at home in Anchorage on March 14, 2012, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Anchorage. Her ashes will be placed in the columbarium at St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista, Ark. Joyce was born on Sept. 7, 1931, in Springdale, Ark., and moved to Anchorage in 2003 to be near her daughters. Joyce graduated high school and secretarial school in Fayetteville, Ark. She married Max G. Cooper in 1953 and was a homemaker who raised three children. At age 36, she began work as a legal secretary and became a court reporter at the age of 46. She retired after 17 years of work at the Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Ark., from the court reporting job she loved so dearly. "Joyce was a lovely, southern woman who enjoyed playing piano, singing in the choir, playing cards and backgammon. She was a very generous, kind and fun loving woman. She is loved and will be deeply missed by her family." She is survived by her sister, Peggy Merritt of Bardstown, Ky.; her children, Carol Kalamarides (George) of Anchorage, Dale Cooper of Fayetteville, Ark., and Claire Cooper of Anchorage; granddaughter, Sara Kalamarides of Anchorage; and grandson, Jeremiah Cooper of Jay, Oklah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507. The family would like to thank Sherry and Mary Jo Mettler and the staff (especially Clara) at Northern Lighthouse Assisted Living for the warmth and compassion she received during her time living there. We would also like to thank Dr. Maciejewski for going above and beyond to make Mom's last days more comfortable. Arrangements were cared for by Anchorage Funeral Home. Visit the online memorial guestbook for Joyce at www.AlaskanFuneral.com.