Elsie "Jackye" Cooper

Elsie “Jackye” Cooper was born on February 21, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York to (the late) Humbert Carrington and Gertrude Tull Carrington of Barbados, West Indies.  Jackye was the second of four children among: Dr. Harcourt Carrington (deceased), Lawrence Carrington (Registered Nurse) and Madeline “Maddy” Slater. Jackye attended Girls High School, and after graduation, enrolled in Brooklyn College where she majored in Education.  While studying at Brooklyn College, Jackye met the love of her life, Leonares of St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies.  Jackye obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and in 1955 started her career as an educator.  Jackye also obtained a Master’s in Early Childhood Education in 1971 from Bank Street College in order to further her career.

In 1958, the young couple married and looked forward to a promising future as Leonares was a licensed chemist and registered architect, and Jackye, an exceptional educator. Three years later, they welcomed a son, Russell. Jackye’s career as an educator in the Board of Education spanned thirty-eight years -- as an elementary school teacher, Supervisor for District 13, and Acting Principal for P.S. 8.  Jackye was a very beautiful, vibrant and passionate woman who enjoyed traveling, swimming, playing the piano and listening to a variety of music genres such as classical, jazz, and R&B.  She was a seasoned traveler having visited Hawaii, Florida, Alaska, Bermuda, England, Morocco, Mexico, Barbados, Trinidad, Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Martinique, Jamaica and Monserrat.  Jackye also served her community and upheld her civic duties as an active member of the National Association of University Women (NAUW) and the Little Theater Group.

Of paramount importance to Jackye were love-of-God, family, community and humanity at large.  Jackye was a member of Hanson Place Methodist Church for over fifty years, and a member of the Church choir for thirty years.  She was a woman of honor and integrity, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sibling and friend who was always willing to help others.  Jackye and her husband as well-educated people impressed upon their son the value of a good education; this resulted in Russell obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Brown University leading to a rewarding career as a live sound engineer.

Jackye will be deeply missed. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Russell and Michelle Cooper; two living siblings: Lawrence Carrington and Madeline Slater; two sisters-in-law: Betty Kerr-Carrington and Adeline Carrington; two grandchildren: Kayla and Anthony; nephews and nieces: Harcort Carrington, Anthony Slater, Wendell Slater, Mark Slater, Lawrence R. Carrington, Stewart Carrington and Jodi and Michael Kipping; her extended family: The Springers, Haynes and Linghams; and close friends: Libertad Rosenkranz, Wimberly Edwards, Ann Hazelwood, Myra Briggs, Peaches Osbourne, Wilma Heckler and Eleanor Hinds. The family would also like to acknowledge Ms. Valene George, her home health attendant for over six years who cared for Jackye with kindness, compassion and love. Jackye led a meaningful and productive life driven by purpose and guided by her firm belief in Almighty God. Jackye’s memory will continue to live on throughout the many years to come.

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