Mary-Beth (Lewis) Cooper

Our sister, Mary-Beth Lewis Cooper, 59, died unexpectedly but peacefully on May 14, 2026, in her home in New Carlisle. She left without saying goodbye, but she did not leave without our knowing her love.

Mary-Beth, MB, as she liked to be called, always told us how much she loved us. Her care and concern didn’t end with family and close friends; she was social with nearly everyone she encountered. If she had an appointment, she would connect with the receptionist, the nurse, the doctor, the janitor, and anyone sitting near her in the waiting room. She befriended Linda, an older woman who worked at the VA. They talked on the phone, sent cards, gifts, and letters back and forth, and MB took her out to lunch several times long after Linda retired.

Mary-Beth said many times that she was “the luckiest person on Earth.” She was grateful for every good thing that came her way, especially the years she shared with her husband, Brad Cooper, and his loving family. MB and Brad shared a deep curiosity, a rich sense of humor, and a love of music. She had tender memories of listening to Brad play guitar or just sitting with him, listening to music, for hours on end.

MB was dealt some difficult cards. While serving in the Air Force, she suffered a service-related disability that eventually left her blind and using a wheelchair. In recent years, she lost her beloved dog, Zu-Zu, her husband Brad, and Brad’s mom Reva, whom MB loved deeply. During the final years of Brad’s life, they faced together the challenges of his Huntington’s disease. After he moved to a long-term care facility, she moved into a nearby Super 8 and was with him nearly every day.

She channeled deep Christian faith and our mother’s fierce determination when facing these challenges. Where others saw losses, MB saw blessings. After Brad’s death, she chose to focus on how lucky she was to have had such great times with him.

The youngest of six, she was born in Orchard Lake, Michigan, to William Richard Lewis and Helen-Marie Murphy Lewis. The family moved to South Bend before her first birthday. As a child, MB was cheerful and funny. That didn’t change much over time. She loved to joke and find humor at every opportunity. Good Lord, we laughed a lot! She was generous with gifts and ideas. She took care of and deeply loved her nieces and nephews. She was creative, artistic, and had an elegant style.

MB loved nature – mountains, trees, beach, and sky. Sitting on her deck enjoying a sunny, breezy day reminded her of childhood days playing on the beach and in the waves of Lake Michigan and the ocean. The last text she sent her sister was “Can’t wait to share a hug! And then we’ll start planning our trip to the Atlantic Ocean! We can dream; it’s all good!”

MB reminded us to do what you can while you can. She traveled far and wide with our Mom, her friends, siblings, and Brad, while she was young and able. She carried and shared vivid memories of these adventures throughout her life.

She was a prayer warrior and believed in the promise of eternal life. She also knew that we are imprinted on – and become a permanent part of – the hearts of those we love. Her curly auburn fiber is woven into the souls of many family and friends who survive her, including her sister Cathy (Mike) Melbert, brothers Bill (Lee), Mark (Madeline), Chuck (Sharon) and Jay (Greta) Lewis, her O’Neill step-siblings, and Brad’s father Larry and brother Kyle (Elaine) Cooper. Also carrying MB within them are many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins.    

MB is also survived by life-long friends she cherished dearly. MB was especially grateful to friends and caregivers who walked closely with her as her health declined, including two amazing Nancys (who could get by with just one?), ever-faithful Mallory, and Phyllis – who loved MB like a daughter. She deeply loved and was grateful for each of her friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday June 14, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. ET, New Carlisle United Methodist Church, located at 300 E. Compton St. in New Carlisle, with a luncheon to follow. Cremation has taken place and Mary-Beth will be interred with Brad at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be considered for the Bev Hartig Huntington’s Disease Foundation (bevhartighuntingtonsdisease.com). If you would like to leave online condolences, please visit www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.