Diane C. Cooper, wife of former Rehoboth mayor

Diane C. Cooper, 76, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach. Diane’s passing brought to an end a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born July 30, 1949, the third of three children of John R. and Marguerite Pugh Cavanaugh. Diane was born and spent her childhood in Portage, Wis. There, she attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Portage High School in 1967. In 1970, she moved to Delaware.  

It was in 1978 that mutual friends introduced her to the love of her life and future husband, Sam. She and Sam were married in a simple ceremony at his home Dec. 4, 1982. Diane worked at several jobs in the Lewes area before going to work at Lewes Post Office in 1980 as a clerk and, at times, delivering mail as a substitute carrier. In 1986, Diane joined Sam and his mother in managing the family rental business.

It was at the post office that she met her dear and enduring friend Kaye Webb. Over the years, Kaye and Diane shared many experiences. For one, they spent many hours tole painting, then selling some of their creations at craft fairs. Diane was an avid reader. She also loved and enjoyed the many dogs she had over the years. She was a longtime member of the Lewes chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, relishing the good times she spent with her sorority sisters.

For the years Sam served as a commissioner and mayor of Rehoboth, it was in Diane that Sam found the support and peace to navigate tumultuous issues and times – in all things, she was his rock. By the people who knew her, she will be missed; however, her endearing spirit will live on in their hearts.

Diane is preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her husband, Samuel R. Cooper; a sister, Betty Cowley of Eau Claire, Wis.; a brother, Richard Cavanaugh of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; two nephews, Michael Cavanaugh of Wausau, Wis., and Jason Cavanaugh of Appleton, Wis.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 11, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth, where friends may call one hour prior. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. Burial will be in Epworth Cemetery, Henlopen Avenue, Rehoboth.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Friends of the Rehoboth Beach Public Library, P.O. Box 98, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or Rehoboth Beach Museum, 511 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Visit Diane's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.