Janice Cooper Obituary

Janice Deatsch Cooper
December, 1946 – July, 28 2025
Janice (Deatsch) Cooper, lovingly known as Jan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on July 28, 2025, at the age of 78, in Fremont, CA.
Jan was born in Oakland, CA, and grew up in Hayward, CA where she began a lifelong journey of service, learning, and faith. She attended Hayward High School, where she began dating her future husband, Clifford Cooper. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from California State University, Hayward, and later attended graduate school at the University of San Francisco.
As a dedicated educator, Jan devoted 44 years to the students and families of St. Joseph's School in Fremont, CA, serving as a teacher and eventually as principal until her retirement in 2013. During her time in leadership, St. Joseph's School earned national distinction in 1997 as one of 35 private schools in the United States, and one of three in California, to be named a National Blue-Ribbon School Awardee. The award was a testament to the academic excellence and strong community spirit she helped cultivate.
Jan was known for her quiet strength, intellectual curiosity and deeply rooted faith. A lifelong learner and gifted educator, she approached every challenge with thoughtfulness and grace, believing in the power of knowledge to shape both minds and hearts. Her wisdom was guided not just by experience but by a steady spiritual compass that shaped her relationships, leadership, and service to others. Whether nurturing students in the classroom or offering comfort and insight in difficult moments, Jan uplifted those around her with compassion, clarity, and conviction.
Beyond the classroom, Jan had a deep passion for exploring the world. She traveled extensively, cherishing memories from her visits to Ireland, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, China, Mexico, and many states. At home, she found joy in life's simple pleasures - reading a good book, savoring her morning coffee (and an occasional glass of wine), enjoying a fresh manicure, and shopping for clothes and jewelry. Her home was a true reflection of her warmth, care, and charm - lovingly decorated and filled with personal touches, from carefully selected décor to her treasured collections of teddy bears, frogs, gnomes, and other whimsical keepsakes.
Jan took great pride in her Portuguese heritage and cherished the deep roots of her family. She was known for maintaining strong and lasting connections, often reaching out with thoughtful phone calls, messages, and kind remembrances on special occasions. One of her signature gestures was the many custom cards she sent – often humorous, always personal – reflecting her wit, creativity, and love. Her thoughtfulness kept family bonds strong across generations and distances.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Cooper; son, Michael Cooper; mother, Flora Deatsch; and father, Elwyn Deatsch. She is survived by her son, Ronald (Kimberly) Cooper; grandchildren, Justin Cooper and Renee Cooper; siblings, Philip (Yvonne) Deatsch and Patricia (Norman) Hunter; her sister-in-law, Mary (Bob) Hughes. She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews: Michelle Hunter, Laney Deatsch-McBrayer (Jason), Cameron (Libby) Deatsch, and K.C. (Chelsea) Deatsch. Her legacy of love, compassion, and faith lives on through them and the thousands of lives she touched.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, at 12:00pm at St. Joseph's Church in Fremont, CA. A reception will follow.