Kathleen I. Cooper "Kate" of Springfield died surrounded by her family at her home on May 1, 2022. She was 86.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the loving wife of 54 years to the late Howard C. Cooper, Jr., the daughter of the late William and Margaret (Cain) Toffard, sister to the late Margaret "Peggy" Frederick and Regina "Jeanne" Brennan and loving mother in law to the late James "Jimmy" Semmelroth III.

Kate attended St. Monica's Grade School and was a graduate of John Hallahan High School, Class of 1954, where she was Mickey Mouse, the school mascot. Kate married Howard in 1957 and they had 4 children. They moved to Springfield in 1968 where she has lived for the past 54 years. Kate loved living in Springfield where she always had wonderful neighbors and friends. She was an active member of St. Kevin's Parish from her CYO years where she was in charge of the cheerleaders to the Women's Club and more.

Kate joined Prudential in 1984 and she was a proud Prudential Insurance Agent until she retired from Prudential. She continued in the insurance business with DeJosie Insurance Company and was last employed by Troast Insurance Company in Philadelphia. She was the former owner of Cooper's Café along with her late husband Howard and there were a lot of great memories and stories from there. New Year's Day and the Mummers were always a big celebration and Kate always made the New Year's Day Bean Soup that Cooper's had on their menu that day.

Kate loved the Jersey Shore,  and looked forward to spending time there with her family and friends, especially on our family vacations at the shore, Irish Weekend and Pirates at the Pointe. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's many activities, events and games. She was always there cheering everyone on no matter what the occasion. Kate was also a special aunt and friend and was fortunate to have so many "forever friends" in her life some of whom she started first grade with at St. Monica's. Her circle of friends expanded to include the "19 ^th Street Guys" after she met Howard and those friendships lasted a life time which is an amazing legacy to all of them.

She was "Mommy Kate" to all of us and her smile and presence in our lives will be missed!

Kate is survived by her children: Kathleen C. Corcoran (Jim "Whitey"), Howard C. Cooper, III (Joanne), Karen Semmelroth (late Jimmy) and Michael W. Cooper (Sara). She is also survived by her 11 loving grandchildren: Brian, Mary-Kate (Rocky), Thomas, Danny, Lindsey, Ashley, Colin, Grace, Gabby, Sean and Ryan as well as her nieces, nephews and special friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at St. Kevin's Church 200 W. Sproul Road, Springfield from 9:30 to 10:45 AM followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon.

Memorial Gifts in her memory may be made to CADES (Children and Adult Disability & Educational Services), 401 Rutgers Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081 or to St. Kevin's Church.