Lillian “Iris” (Cooper) Alexander, 94
Heaven gained an angel when Lillian Iris Alexander gained her wings on Jan. 4 following Congestive Heart Failure.
Mrs. Alexander spent most of her life in New Castle and Hagerstown but was born in Cadiz in 1925. It’s with extreme irony that someone with the purest Heart died because her heart couldn’t sustain her life.
Mrs. Alexander was the best nurse not by trade but by choice as a Mom and caregiver to her three Diabetic children Sheila, Philip and Patricia, who proceeded her in death. She then helped raise her two Grandchildren Michael and Mandi who came to know her as a Mother and a Grandmother. Her self sacrifice is a perfect example of how kindness enveloped her life. To those who knew Iris were better for it.
Mrs. Alexander graduated from New Castle High School in 1943. You probably greeted her at some point in New Castle as you remembered her friendly face from Bud Alexander’s Cafeteria. Mrs. Alexander was an integral part of her ex-husband’s cafeteria including management, running her own gift shop for years, bookkeeping and then part-time cashier before retiring in 1994 when the cafeteria closed.
While she spent most of her life as a caregiver and devoted Mother and Grandmother, She enjoyed her bridge club with Hagerstown and New Castle friends, her NCHS class of ’43 events and serving as a volunteer with her best friend, artist Peggy Dalton Freeman at the Henry County Art Center. Iris had grace and style, never missing a hair appointment in Hagerstown even in blizzard-like conditions!
Iris is preceded in death by her three children Patricia Alexander Van De Grift, Philip Alexander and Sheila Alexander York Malone, Son in Law (husband to Patricia) Reuben Van De Grift, Daughter in Law (wife to Philip Alexander) Nancy Alexander McCart. Son in law (husband of Sheila) Lonnie York, Son in Law Eddie Malone (wife Sheila), Her parents Mabel and Lawrence Cooper, her Brother, H. Duane Cooper (wife JoAnn Cooper) and lifelong best friend Peggy Dalton Freeman.
She’s survived by her four grandchildren. Amy Alexander (partner Chris Burkhart), Tony Alexander (wife Theresa Alexander), Michael Van De Grift (wife Olivia Van De Grift) and Mandi Van De Grift. Also, Great-Granddaughter McKenna Alexander, two stepgreat-grandchildren Joshua and Zachary Milowski and friend Sharon Hacker.
Flowers may be sent to Macer-Hall Funeral Home. Mrs. Alexander will be laid to rest in South Mound Cemetery, West Lawn Addition, next to her son, Philip Alexander.
Service will be Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 11am. Friends may call Tuesday January 7, 5-8pm. Rev. Alecia Gross will be officiating.
Macer Hall Funeral Directors are honored to serve the family of Lillian “Iris” Alexander. Online condolences may be expressed at www.MacerHall.com