Obituary of Maryellen Cooper Brzozowski

Mary Ellen Cooper Brzozowski passed away peacefully  on June 5, 2019 at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital. She was surrounded by her children and comforted by family, friends, and dedicated medical staff. A private burial was held on Saturday, June 8, where she was laid to rest with her beloved husband.

She was born on September 7, 1934. She was a member of Elmwood Presbyterian Church on Syracuse’s southside and was a dedicated worker on behalf of the urban ministry there until the church’s closing. She was instrumental in uniting Elmwood with Robinson Memorial. She felt it was one of her great accomplishments that she and the remaining members of Elmwood found a way to keep the spirit alive and found safe sanctuary for their members.

She retired from University College of Syracuse University, where she was, in her own words, “a mid-level bureaucrat and proud of it.” She graduated from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University with a BFA in Fibers.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Brzozowski, her parents Alfred and Clara Cooper, and her brother, Robert Cooper.

She is survived by her children, Keith (Christine Dregalla), Carole (Stan Ayres), Kenneth (Lisa Steres) and Joseph (Tracey), 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, sisters Elsie Jean Rew and Susan Cooper and a brother, David Cooper.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Robinson Elmwood United Church 126 S. Terry Road Syracuse NY 13219. In lieu of flowers, wear a little blue, take some time in nature, look for birds as signs, and take good care of yourself, paying it forward in love to your favorite cause.