Helen M Cooper

Helen (Honner) Meanwell Cooper passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026. She was born on December 27, 1928, to Dr. Walter E. Meanwell and Helen Garth Meanwell.

Mom spent her entire life in the one place she never wanted to leave—her hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. She attended Madison West High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in Education.

Her childhood home on the shores of Lake Mendota was not far from Shorewood Hills Beach, where she competed in city swim meets. It was there that she met her husband, Bob Cooper, who had recently returned from World War II and was spending the summer working as a lifeguard. They were married on January 28, 1950, and celebrated 67 years together.

Mom's two signature traits, stubbornness and loyalty, went hand in hand. She made and kept lifelong friends, many dating back to high school and college. She devoted more than 50 years to volunteering with Attic Angels, was an avid Badgers fan right to the end, and swam one mile a day well into her mid-80s.

Honner is survived by her son, Scott (Liz), and her daughter, Carol, along with six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a private remembrance. Memorial donations may be made to the UW Odyssey Project: https://odyssey.wisc.edu/about/

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