Allyn Cooper
Livingston speech specialist, advocate for social justice
Allyn Cooper of Livingston, N.J., passed away on Oct. 8, 2019.
Born on Jan. 19, 1942, to Leo and Ruth Deutel, she spent her childhood in East Orange, N.J., and, later, Maplewood, N.J. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she met her husband, Lawrence Cooper. Allyn and Larry were married in 1963. In 1968, they settled in Livingston, where they raised their two daughters, Bari and Leslie.
Allyn was strongly connected to the community, where she had many close friendships that spanned decades. She and Larry were longtime members of Temple B'nai Abraham. After receiving her master's degree in speech and language pathology, she worked in the Livingston public schools for 32 years, helping generations of children who experienced speech-language challenges.
She was also committed to social justice, lending her voice and support to addressing issues ranging from reproductive freedom to LGBTQ equality to teenage dating abuse. Allyn had a close and loving partnership with Larry for 56 years and her devotion to her children and grandchildren was legendary.
In addition to her husband, Allyn is survived by her children, Bari Cooper Sherman (Marshall Sherman) of Los Angeles, and Leslie Cooper (Sarah Zercher) of Jersey City, N.J.; grandchildren, Skylar, Jade, Rio and Ty; and brother Robert Deutel (Saundra Deutel) of South Orange, N.J.
Funeral services will take place on Oct. 11 at 11:30 a.m. at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, N.J.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Foundation for Diabetes Research (diabetesnj.org).