CHELSEA – Lorene Wade Cooper, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Chelsea on June 5, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

This extraordinary woman was born on April 18, 1932 in the midst of the great depression in Tarrant, Ala. After graduating high school, she bravely enlisted in the Air Force where she became Staff Sergeant Wade. She achieved top secret cryptic code clearance and worked in the Pentagon during the Korean War. It was during this time where she met and married Walker D. Cooper in 1954.

Lorene was preceded in death by her parents Zuber and Minnie; siblings; as well as her husband, Walker, who passed away in 2004; and her first-born son, Michael W. Cooper, who passed away in 2016.

Walker and Lorene raised four sons, Michael, Bruce, Kirk and Gregg. Lorene lovingly nurtured and cherished their entire family including daughters-in-law; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous loved ones who entered her home and became family to her.

She started the long running Co-Op in Orland. After raising her boys, she went to work at the Environmental Protection Agency where she met her lifelong friend, Marcelle.

Lorene stood up for equality and for a better future for her community. She has inspired countless people and generations to be loving, kind, and gentle, and to go out into the world and experience life beyond your four walls. Lorene was quiet, yet captivating. Soft, yet bold. She took every opportunity to make whoever she was with feel loved and seen, and would want us to live with the warm reminder to laugh when you can and that love always wins.

Lorene’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Togus VA, Beacon Hospice and Bridging the Gap (Theresa). They provided support and care throughout Lorene’s life and became extended family to the family.

A private graveside service will be held July 29 at 12 p.m. at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. Memories and condolences may be shared on her tribute wall.

In lieu of flowers, Lorene would like for you to do something kind for someone else in her honor.

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