Obituary: Phyllis T. (LeMire) Cooper
Phyllis T. (LeMire) Cooper
BROOKINGS, Ore. – Phyllis T. (LeMire) Cooper, 83, passed away tragically on Oct. 23, 2026, while visiting family in New England. Born in Biddeford to Bertha and Rudolph LeMire, she grew up in Scarborough, where she made cherished memories.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she loved family beyond measure and had a special gift of bringing people together. She treasured family gatherings, friendships, dancing, reading, bingo, and every opportunity to have fun. If there was music playing, she was always ready to dance!
Phyllis attended Burdett College, where she earned a business certificate. She married Sonny Colello, the father of her two children, and after many years devoted to raising her family, worked as a bank teller until retirement. In 1992, she moved to Las Vegas, Nev. where she shared more than 30 years of love, laughter, and two-stepping with her second husband, William Cooper, until his passing in 2024. In 2025, she settled on the Oregon coast, near her son, daughter-in-law, and family, where she was living her best life. A social butterfly, she cherished time with family and friends. “Live, Laugh, and Love Often” was more than a saying; it was how she lived. At 83, she was still embracing life, building friendships, and staying closely connected to loved ones near or far. Distance never diminished her devotion. Her joyful spirit, kindness, positivity, and love for fun touched countless lives and left treasured memories for all who knew and loved her.
She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, resilience, laughter, and family. She will always be remembered as an amazing person who never stopped finding reasons to enjoy life. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit will live on in the stories we tell, the laughter we share, and every song that makes us want to get up and dance.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; and her sister, Claudette Meehan.
She is survived by children, Anthony Colello and wife Sherrie of Oregon and Kim Murphy and husband Shawn of South Portland, stepson Michael Guildford, former daughter-in-law Laurie Colello; beloved sister Sharyn Warren; many nieces and nephews, including her close niece Cheryl Carson and wife Robyn. She adored being Meme’ and loved all of her grandchildren “to the moon and back,” including Jamie Larson, Natasha Cooke, Jacqui Wright, Dani Colello, Billie Sherman, Jeremy Colello, Drew Nozawa, and Maccoy Murphy; and her great-grandchildren, Caiden Murphy, Kingston Larson, Dougy Wright, and Delyla Wright.
There will be no service at this time; however, per request, we will have a celebration (with dancing!) this spring to remember Phyllis’ fun-loving spirit!
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