Kalli Jo Rushton Cooper, age 38, returned to her Heavenly Father on April 18, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Kalli was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, and leader. Her influence extended far beyond her humble life; touching the lives of all who came in contact with her. Through humble service, gentle leadership, and boundless courage, her wit, intelligence, and genuine love for all people made her an example and beacon of light to all.
Kalli was born October 5, 1975 in Provo, Utah and grew up in Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada. Her optimistic personality and willingness to serve and lead drew many friends to her. Kalli graduated from Roy High School in 1994, attended Southern Utah University for two years and transferred to the University of Utah in 1996 graduating with a degree in Public Health in 2001.
During her school years, Kalli’s ability to draw people in and make them have fun and feel good about themselves and their work made her valued wherever she went. Kalli felt that life should be fun and she made sure that her life was fun. As a pharmacy technician and later a study coordinator at the University of Utah Medical Center, her opera days and other music days lightened the load and the mood of all who came in contact with her. The friends she made during this time remained her friends for the rest of her life.
Kalli met her future husband, Aaron Cooper, while attending SUU. She made sure Aaron was the right guy for her, making him pursue her until she caught him. They were married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple on March 10, 2000. She approached her marriage as she approached her life, making sure that Aaron and their two children, Abi and Max, kept their lives light and happy and full of fun and adventure. They went wherever there was something that was fun and educational. The kids knew all of the animals at the zoo and spent many days exploring museums and planetariums. They were on the go and Kalli was happy to be the “entertainment committee” for her family.
As Kalli raised her family she began working with the Young Women in her church. The Young Women’s program was an important part of Kalli’s life from the time she was 12 years old. Her passion for the values taught in Young Women’s and her empathy for the young women themselves made her an outstanding teacher, leader, and friend to all of the young women whose lives she touched. They became her friends and sisters and she made a difference in a number of young lives in Utah and Minnesota.
During this time Kalli began her battle with breast cancer. As usual she faced this challenge with courage, humor, and a need to help all those around her deal with this problem. Cancer did not define Kalli. It was something she dealt with but she never let cancer take her away from her family, her Young Women, or the joy she found in just helping others. Her boundless creativity and ability to make anything a good experience grew as did her circle of friends who now included anyone needing help or comfort because of cancer. All her doctors said they had never had a patient like Kalli and they are unlikely ever to have another.
Kalli’s children, brothers and sisters, family, and friends are her greatest monument. She made everyone’s life brighter, happier and just better in ways too many to count. Recognizing Kalli’s positive influence and in an attempt to capture, record, and share her life stories her family has created a blog: www.irememberwhenkalli.wordpress.com. We encourage visitors to the website to contribute their own favorite stories about Kalli.
As the time for Kalli to transition from this world drew closer she and her family were greatly blessed by hospice services from CNS Hospice. They wish to thank CNS Hospice for their outstanding care and desire for all in need of hospice to have access to excellent care without worry of cost. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charitable care program at CNS Hospice by visiting www.CNS-cares.org.
Kalli is survived by her husband: Aaron Cooper, (Sandy, Utah); children: Abigail and Maxwell Cooper (Sandy, Utah); parents: Paul and Donetta Rushton (Midvale, Utah); sister: Kairi Fail (Cottonwood Heights, Utah); and brothers: Caleb Rushton (Lehi, Utah), Kyle Rushton (Lakewood, Washington), and Cameron Rushton (Cottonwood Heights, Utah).
Kalli’s Funeral will be on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at the Draper Eastridge Stake Center, 1187 East Draper Parkway, Draper, Utah, at 11:00 am. Friends may call at the Eastridge 4th Ward Building at 11777 South Willow Wood Drive, Draper, Utah, on Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm; and on Thursday morning at the Eastridge Stake Center from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Burial will take place in the Holladay Memorial Park Cemetery.