Valerie Denise Cooper was born on December 15, 1950 to the late Robert and Ceola Cooper in the Bronx, NY. Valerie had four brothers and three sisters. Valerie’s siblings: Robert (preceded her in death), Ronald, Wayne, Robin, Donna, Renee and Marc. Valerie Denise Cooper passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026.
Valerie was known to many of her friends as “Denise.” Her family called her “NeeCee.” Valerie was raised in the Bronx River Houses. She attended P.S. 93 and J.H.S 125 in the Bronx, NY. She attended and graduated with honors from Central Commercial High School located in Manhattan, NY. In high school she studied stenography and typing.
Valerie was employed as an executive secretary with Deloitte Haskins & Sells accounting firm. This lead to her career with the New York City Comptroller’s Office during Alan Hevesi’s Tenure from 1994-2001.
In April of 1972, Valerie had one son Duane Cooper with Joseph Clark. Valerie enjoyed being a mother to Duane. Valerie and her son, Duane were very close. Duane referred to his mother as “Eemee,” (which means mother in Hebrew). She enjoyed supporting and encouraging her son as he pursued his comedy career.
Valerie loved fashion and could sew. She made clothes and costumes. She loved to travel with her family and friends. She enjoyed living in Florida with her baby brother Marc. She loved taking care of her nephews and nieces.
The one thing she adored the most was a being a grandmother. She leaves to celebrate and cherish her legacy her son, Duane Cooper. Her granddaughters: Celeste, Chasity, Sade (Tyesha), Diamond (Eva), Nevaeh, Violet, Zahara, and Zinnia (Rifca) and great grandchildren. She is survived by her 6 siblings, Ronald (Carolyn), Wayne (Elaine), Robin, Donna, Renee and Marc(Adasha), a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces, her bonus son Jose Manuel Bonilla, her bonus grandson Natequan, other relatives and friends.
Valerie touched many lives and will greatly be missed by all who knew her.
