Luvinia Caroline Borland-Cooper

Sunrise: December 4, 1949 | Sunset: November 21, 2023

The Cooper, Phelps, Weeks, Okorodudu, Maxwell, Pedersen, Togba, King, Holt, and Watts, families announce with heavy hearts the passing of Luvinia Caroline Borland-Cooper at her home in Irvington, New Jersey on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

Luvinia Caroline Borland-Cooper, affectionately known as “Borland” or “Vinia Girl” was born on December 4, 1949, to the union of the late Oretha E. Phelps-Cole and Stanley Borland, in Monrovia, Liberia. Her mother was a devout Christian who worshipped in the tradition of the Episcopalian faith which influenced Vinia Girl’s early upbringing. She was married to Henry Eric Cooper and the union was blessed with one child, Henry Ford Cooper.

She began her early education at the Demonstration School in Monrovia, Liberia. She later attended Saint Anne’s College Grammer School in Lancashire, England and completed secondary education at Saint Martin’s School, Solihull, Warwickshire, England, with her sister Lottie-Mae. Luvinia, Lottie-Mae, and life-long friends: Lorraine Morris and Laura Norman, were the only Liberians in the school at the time.

Luvinia finished her education at the South Hampton College of Technology, earning a Royal Arts Certificate in the Business Secretarial Course. Upon graduation she returned to Liberia and was employed at Chase for several years before going to Maersk Line Shipping Company. After emigration to the United States, she was employed at the Superior Court of New Jersey in Essex County from 1994 until her retirement in 2016.

Luvinia supported several charities including the Law Enforcement and Fireman Associations, Red Cross, Catholic Charities (USA), and Apostles House. She was an avid reader, enjoying the Reader’s Digest, and writings about the English royal family. Luvinia loved dancing, stylish dressing and just having a good time! She especially enjoyed listening to music by Nina Simone, the Beatles, and Tom Jones.

Following the footsteps of her sister, Lottie, Luvinia was a devout Catholic. She attended Queen of Angels Church, and Our Lady Help of Christians in Newark, NJ. When she was no longer able to attend mass in-person, she read her Bible at home and used the liturgy of Catholic mass readings to worship in the solace of her bedroom.

Luvinia leaves to mourn her loss and celebrate her life: Her son: Henry Ford Cooper; Her granddaughter: Viamari Boyd; Her great grandson: Kamari Wynne; Her sisters: Joan Phelps-Sirleaf, Susan Cooper, and Lorraine Morris; Her brothers: Harry Cole, Father (Matthew) Abu B. Cole, SMA; Boakai Kiawu, Earl Burrows, and Prince Page; Her aunts and uncles: Naquitta Phelps Streete, Corann Phelps Okorodudu (Abraham Okorodudu-Deceased), Juliette Phelps Maxwell, Vireda Phelps Pedersen (James Pedersen-Deceased), Beryline Phelps Togba (John), George Henries, and Josephine Barclay Bryan (Theodore Bryan).

Luvinia was predeceased by her mother, Oretha E. Phelps Cole (Boakai Shabu Kiawu); her father: Stanley Borland; her brother: Maxwell R. H. Phelps; her sister: Charlotte-Mae Tonieh Phelps; her niece: Maxquitta Phelps; her aunts: Elfreda Mars-Jones, Maude Phelps, Marjorie Phelps Henries, Thelma Watts, Monroetta Phelps Weeks (James Milton); and her uncle: Lancelot Phelps. She is also mourned and celebrated by many members of her extended family, a host of colleagues, and friends.

We praise and glorify God for the life of Luvinia Caroline Borland-Cooper, a devoted mother and trustworthy friend.

FUNERAL MASS

Friday, December 15, 2023
10:00 a.m.
Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, 103 16^th Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07103

REPAST
Immediately following interment at Fairmount Cemetery, Newark NJ 07107

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