Suzi Q Cooper

She will not be forgotten (there are hundreds of photos out there!) and her whimsical approach to life will remain the memories for hundreds of people. Suzi Q had many memorable attributes. The first was when she was thrown into the responsibility of childcare of her young siblings, Nancy Jane and Leon (Butch.) Her mother, Minna Louise (Bobbie) Cooper was stricken suddenly by polio in 1951, leaving teenaged Suzanne to care for the children and her father, Vincent Leon Cooper, and the household duties as well. She was catapulted from the happy and carefree life of a teenager to that of a busy caretaker, cook, and cleaner for at least two years, while her mother remained a bedridden triplegic. That was Suzi’s life until she attended a year of college at ASU and then started her adult life as a mother and wife. She was a great sister, friend, working mother and social butterfly.

She had a smile that was infectious and loved to show it off in pictures. She worked as an interior designer for several years, and also held many odd jobs, but her favorite was as a freelance piano player. She created a Sing-A-Long with Suzi book that she would pass out at gigs. She was also an accomplished artist using pencils and paints as her medium. She was always painting something for someone. Her other passion was cooking. She created her own unique recipes; one even made the papers! And she could play ukulele like nobody's business!

She is survived by her sister, Dr. Nancy Bennett, her husband Lt. Col. Fred Bennett, her sons in order oldest to youngest: Ricky MonBarren, Randy MonBarren, Rodney Durrenberger, and her only daughter Rene Doherty. She is also survived by all her children’s spouses and their children, totaling 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and by her nieces and nephews: Jenny Langford, Layne Mendell, Kyle Cooper, Erick Miller, their spouses and six children, combined.

She was deeply loved and loved deeply and will be missed but remembered in the hearts of hundreds of people.

May she rest in peace with those loved ones who have gone before her.

Services will be held on May 17 @ 11:00 at the Arnold Farm. Text 602-578-0365 or

208-699-9613 for address.