Esther Katherine Cooper Foreman was born July 29, 1917, in Kansas City, KS to Louis Tilghman Cooper and Ethel La Munyon Cooper. Her father worked for the Union Pacific and Santa Fe railroads. She took many trips on the train with her parents and enjoyed traveling throughout her life. She was a lifelong resident of Kansas City Kansas and died January 30, 2023, at 105 and ½ years.
Esther graduated from Bryant Elementary School, Northwest Junior High School, and Wyandotte High School. She also graduated from Kansas City, KS JuniorCollege in 1937 and the University of Kansas in 1939. In 1942 she married Hugh Lee who preceded her in death in 1956. When she married, she had to give up her teaching position because teachers at the time could not be married. She began to work at Jenkins Music Company located at 536 Minnesota. For 10 years, she played sheet music on the piano for customers. She was able to return to the kindergarten classroom at Eugene Ware Elementaryin 1952 and retired in 1977 for a total of 28 years in USD 500. In 1959 she married Horace Foreman who preceded her in death in 1996. Horace’s niece, Diane Park and family, and his nephew by marriage, Leonard Schupp and his family survive her.
She began to travel with the “Spring Break” Kansas City Kansas Community College group in 1972. Her trips around the world with her friends were a source of joy in her life. She enjoyed learning about each country and writing parts of a poem to record her memories each travel day. Those dear friendships have continued and have provided Esther with many happy visits up until her death.
Esther was asked and began to fund the Heirloom Garden located near the Wyandotte County Museum. In 2008 the Garden was moved to the Kansas City Kansas Community College campus and renamed the Cooper- Foreman Heirloom and Native Garden in honor of her parents and late husband. The Mission Statement follows: The purpose of the Cooper-Foreman Heirloom and Native Gardens is to promote a greater awareness and appreciation of the historic gardening culture of Wyandotte County, Kansas, prior to 1924. While teaching children and adults how gardens looked, were tended, what plants the gardens contained, and how the plants were used. Esther asked her friends to volunteer and became new friends with others who appreciated the beauty of flowers and cherish the history of gardening in Wyandotte County.
Five years ago, Esther moved from her home to the HealthCare Resort of Kansas City. Esther quickly began to appreciate the staff, enjoyed their visits, and depended on them to help care for her. This caring developed into deep friendships. Esther knew she was loved, and she loved them right back. The second floor staff and others became her second family. These dedicated professionals gave her an excellent quality of life until the very last minute. Thank you.
Esther was a former member of Quayle Memorial Methodist Church located at 17th and Yecker where she was the organist for 25 years. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church (Keystone Class),Wyandotte United Methodist Church, Life Member of the National Education Association, Life Member of the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel, Local Teachers of Wyandotte County, Life Member of the University of Kansas Alumni Association and a Life Member of the Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ.
Esther will be dearly missed. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 AM with Funeral Services following at 10:30 AMSaturday, February 4, at Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS. Burial in Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, KS. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Cooper- Foreman Heirloom Gardens % Wayne Walden, 29437 Masters Drive, Louisburg, KS 66053.