Lea Mirjam (Kuitunen) Cooper

    It is with profound sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Lea Mirjam (Kuitunen) Cooper on Saturday, March 29, 2025. A woman of unwavering spirit and deep Finnish heritage, Lea passed away peacefully from natural causes. She was known for her resilience, her sense of humor, and her embodiment of "Sisu" - the Finnish value that blends courage, grit, tenacity, and perseverance.
    Born on January 5, 1939 in Kangasniemi, Finland to Vihtori and Arma (Lampinen) Kuitunen, she was the only daughter of five children. Lea and her four brothers (Pekka, Simo, Markku, and Kari) shared a childhood filled with stories about growing up on Lake Puula as they spent time swimming, skiing and playing in the woods. Of course, spending time in sauna was an essential part of daily life. She often shared the significance of the 1939 Winter War on her early life. Her father fought in this war; like other Finns, her family often hid in the woods as Russian planes flew overhead. Refugees from the ceded portion of Finnish Karelia settled into her community where they became her closest friends.
    After high school, Lea traveled and lived in Stockholm, Sweden, in London, England, and in Algeria before emigrating to the United States in 1966. She lived in Arkansas and eventually settled in Delaware, where she raised her two children. Lea worked at The Playtex Corporation for the remainder of her career. She was a good neighbor and a faithful member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Dover. Lea was known for her joy, her tremendous laugh, and love of all things Finland. She loved going to the beach, spending time with her many friends, watching the Olympics, crafting baskets and reminding everyone who would listen about the virtues of being Finnish. She especially enjoyed being ‘Mummi’ to her grandchildren and spent her remaining years living with her daughter, Karen, and her family in the Dover countryside.
    She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her stepson Khaled Cooper. She is survived by her children Karen (Horton) and Robert; her grandchildren, Jeremy (Jessica), Joshua, Sydney and Ian; two great grandchildren, Owen and Alba Grace; stepchildren Donna, Tina, Vivian, Kim and Keith. She is also survived by her dear sisters-in-law Kerttu, Telle and Anna-Liisa, and numerous nieces and nephews in Finland; as well as her lifelong friends, Inga Bullock and Norma Geppert. Lea was a joyful and beautiful soul who will be missed dearly by all those who knew her.
    Finally, there are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to Karen (Friday) Randall for the wonderful care she provided for Lea in her final years and loving her like family.
    Friends and loved ones called Monday, April 7, 2025 from 6:00 P.M until 8:00 P.M. at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934. Services were held Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 425 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 with visitation beginning at 9:30 A.M. and service at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at Lakeside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lea’s name to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church at the above address. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.