Obituary of Diane Bowling Cooper

Diane Bowling Cooper was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 18, 1938, and was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Jackson Bowling.  

Being an only child bothered Diane and at an early age, she expressed a desire and a goal to be an integral part of a large family.

In 1957, Diane met Midshipman Donald Cooper at the United States Naval Academy. During vacation of the following year, Diane visited Don’s hometown, Louisville, Kentucky. There she learned Don’s father was one of thirteen children and his mother was the oldest of six children, as was Don.  Diane not only found the love of her life, but the large family she yearned for as well.

Don and Diane married on June 6, 1959, three days after Don commissioned as an Ensign upon his graduation from the Naval Academy.

Don and Diane have four children, Michael (wife Christy), Jane (husband Mark), Daniel (wife Laurie) and Julianne (husband Michael). As well as eleven grandchildren; Morgan, Kyle, Taylor (husband Michael), Joshua, Brock, Addison, Connor, Brianna, Matthew, Nicholas and Mallory; and three great grandchildren, Bentley, Avery and Lincoln.  

Diane loved being a Navy wife and the matriarch of her large family, but her heart never left her beloved Chesapeake Bay area.  So after retiring from the Navy, Don and Diane bought a weekend retreat home overlooking the Chesapeake Bay where her entire family enjoyed many weekends and holidays all gathered together eating her delicious Maryland crab cakes.   

A very religious person, Diane lived by two creeds “family is life” and “home is the cradle of life.”   

Diane once introduced herself at a large meeting, “I am Diane Cooper, wife, mother and grandmother...and I am good at what I do” and she was the best!

She was a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother whose love, grace and selfless devotion to family and friends will continue to inspire all who knew and loved her. 

The Cooper Family would like to thank the caregivers in the Falcons Landing Johnson Center for the great love and support they have shown our family.  

A funeral mass in celebration and inurnment will take place at the United States Naval Academy Chapel on Monday, June 17, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a reception at the Naval Academy Club.

Donations in memory of Diane Cooper may be sent to:

Class of 1959 Columbarium Fund

USNA Foundation

274 Wood Road

Annapolis, MD 21402