NAPLES — Florence Gray Cooper, 86, took her last breath on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in the company of loved ones, at her home in Naples. 

Daughter of Beatrice Gray and Laurence Gray, she was born Jan. 31, 1934 at her childhood home on Lower Main Street in Bridgton. She met her husband George at Bridgton High School, graduated in 1952 and married in 1954.

She worked many jobs over the years, beginning with years at Allen’s Drugstore in Bridgton, when she would walk to work with her father when he worked for the Bridgton News. She later had summer jobs in Naples, and then followed George to the University of Maine at Orono, working at the Bear’s Den on campus while George got his degree. They lived briefly in Massachusetts, where she gave birth to their daughter, Cynthia. The young family shortly moved to New Hampshire, then Bath, before heading back home to Bridgton, where they owned and operated a bowling alley for many years, among other things. Her last job was one of her favorites, working as a CNA at Bridgton Healthcare Center until she stopped working due to osteoporosis.
She attended the Bridgton Congregational Church and sang in choir for 49 years, and was also a longtime soprano with the Promise Singers. She acted in many plays and musicals with the local community theater. She took years of violin lessons beginning at age 9, and also played piano very well, learning from her family. She played fiddle in the Fiddle-icious orchestra with her granddaughters for many years, and attended Maine Fiddle Camp.

She enjoyed many years of downhill skiing, and hiking. She was a watercolor artist, painting with a group at the Naples Library, painting for enjoyment and selling her work at summer outdoor festivals.

She leaves behind her husband, George Cooper; daughter, Cynthia Scott; two granddaughters; brother, David; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In consideration of Covid-19 safety, a service may be held in Bridgton in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bridgton First Congregational Church Choir.