Tamsie Ann Cooper, adventurer and mentor, caring and thoughtful therapist, and a crusader for all animals, passed away Aug. 8, 2014, at her desert home in Tubac, Ariz. She was 67.
Tamsie was born Nov. 23,1946, in Birmingham, Ala. During her life, she worked as an administrator/social worker for the Girl Scouts of America; a Planned Parenthood developer and social worker; a biologist at the University of Utah; a self employed social worker in Salt Lake City; and a social worker for a state-funded program for victims of domestic violence in southeastern Utah. She received her master's degree in social work from the University of Tennessee and her doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Arizona.
In addition to her professional achievements, she accomplished most of the items on her personal "bucket list." These included numerous river trips, skiing, sailing, horse riding, carriage driving competition, fly fishing, hiking throughout the southwest in search of Indian ruins and petroglyphs, owning and piloting her own plane, and lovingly working three ranches - in Heber City, Utah, Amado, Ariz., and Mancos, Colo. She lived her adult life fully on her terms.
Tamsie was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Cooper; her father, Coy Cooper; and her brother, Kenneth Cooper. She is survived by her partner of 24 years, Lenore Becker; her beloved aunts Elaire Fletcher and Ann Cooper; and her cousins Susan Smith, Kenneth Fletcher, Madeline Bennett, Terry Coker, Tim Cooper, Lisa Rakes, Michelle Schultz, Mark Cooper, and Terry Cooper, along with their children and grandchildren.
Tamsie's ashes will be spread on a hillside in Colorado overlooking Mesa Verde and the La Plata (San Juan) mountains on a warm day with a very blue sky. There she will join her cherished Morgan horse, Shady Lady - known as the "Cadillac of all horses" - and her well-loved Newfoundland dogs and several cats.
There will be a western barbecue and trail ride honoring Tamsie in Mancos,Colo. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Tamsie's name to your favorite pet or horse rescue organization.