Clare A. Cooper

Clare Anne Hayes Cooper was born September 22, 1938, in a house on Three Mile Dr in Grosse Pointe MI to Edward & Elvira Hayes. Clare was named after St Clare Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park MI by her Grandfather Joseph Primo Carnaghi, who helped build it. Clare, beloved sister to Elaine (Ken) Shaw, Judy (Tom) Williams & Karen (John) Zalewski, she was preceded in death by her brother Edward Hayes (Susan Kilcher). Clare was also the oldest grandchild of the Carnaghi family, one of 50 grandchildren, and held a special place in the hearts of her extended family She was a 1956 graduate of Dominican Catholic High school. Clare worked at Manufactures Bank where she met Stephen Cooper and a bond was formed, they were married at Guardian Angels Church Detroit April 23rd, 1960. Clare and Steve wanted a big family from the beginning & she was always there for her family through faith & hard work. Clare was a proud mother of six to Laurie (Tom) Ankoviak, Stephen (Cathy) Cooper, who preceded her in death, Tim (Joleen) Cooper, Kristen (Tim) Jenkins, Beth (Stephen) Hewett, Edward (Sherri) Cooper, her beloved grandchildren; Luci Cooper(Joel) Cox, Michelle (Sean) Kecskes, Christopher Cooper, Daniel Cooper, Michael (Kelsey) Ankoviak, Samantha (Seth) Hodges, Seth Jenkins, Zack Cooper, Evan Cooper, Graham Hewett, Jeremy Cooper, Travis Cooper, Owen Hewett and Jacob Cooper, her beloved great grandchildren: Charlotte Cooper Cox, Christoper Cooper Cox and Marshall Ankoviak. She found great joy in her role as a mother, offering unwavering love, guidance, and support throughout their lives. Her legacy lives on through her family, who will forever carry her memory in their hearts. Steve and Clare bought their first house in Utica Mi (now Shelby Twp, MI) and lived at two other addresses within a 2-mile radius till 2025 (65 years). While Clare was raising her children, she was a floral designer & catechist teacher for more than 40 yrs. At the age of 50, Clare returned to school and, in 1987, earned her bachelor’s degree in religious education. She went on to serve at St. Anne’s Parish in Warren, Michigan, where she worked faithfully until her retirement. She had a deep love for flowers and a natural gift for arranging them, creating beauty out of anything she touched. No matter what was happening in her life, she carried a warm smile and an open heart, making everyone she met feel like family. Family was at the heart of everything she did, and she embraced each of us with unconditional love and warm, heartfelt hugs. A memorial service will be held at 10.00am on Friday April 24, 2026, at St. Kieran Catholic Church, 53600 Mound Road, Utica, Michigan 48316, with visitation starting at 9:30am until time of service. A celebration of life will be held following the memorial service at 1:00pm, at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan 48442. A luncheon will take place from 3:00pm-6:00pm at the Mirage Banquet Hall, 16980 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038 following the celebration of life. Arrangements in care of Jowett Funeral Home-New Haven. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Kieran Catholic Church.

Clare A. Cooper

September 22, 1938 - March 26, 2026