Dorothy May Bingham Cooper
South Royalton, VT – Dorothy May Bingham Cooper died on Sunday
morning, September 7th, 2025 at Menig Nursing Home in Randolph Center,
VT. She was 89 years old. She was born on May 7th, 1936 at the
Bostwick family homestead in Bethel, VT, the fourth of six children of
Harold and Clara (Phillips) Bostwick. She attended schools in Bethel
and graduated from South Royalton High School in 1954.
After meeting on a blind date, she married her sweetheart, Ralph
Bingham on September 5th, 1953. They lived most of their lives in
South Royalton and had four children. Ralph taught Dot how to drive a
motorcycle, and they enjoyed many adventures on the road with friends.
After Ralph’s illness in the late 60’s, they had to give up their
bikes but still enjoyed being together raising kids, bowling, playing
golf, dancing at the VFW, playing cards with family ย always doing
things together until Ralph’s death in 1989.
She eventually met John Cooper, and they married on October 3rd, 1992.
They enjoyed an active life together where they loved dancing at the
VFW, traveling, hunting, fishing, and spending time at camp, always
doing things together. John died in 2014.
While in high school, Dot worked at Tozier’s Restaurant in Bethel, VT.
After she married and had children, she worked at Waterbury Companies
in Randolph, VT for 30 years, retiring in 1992. She was a dedicated
and hard worker all her life, many times taking on side jobs when
needed. She served as secretary to the Board of Directors for Montague
Golf Club for many years when it was member-owned. She was a
life-member of the VFW Post 2571 Auxiliary in White River Jct., and a
past member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post in White River Jct.
In her later years, she enjoyed spending time with her children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the one with the camera
to capture those special moments or scenic views. She was always ready
for playing most any type of game ย cribbage, rummy, board games,
Bingo ย she enjoyed it most when she won! She had a great sense of
humor and loved to laugh.
She leaves behind her children, Steven Ralph (LuAnn) Bingham and
Sandra May Bingham of South Royalton, Doreen Ellen (Wayne) Moore of
North Pomfret, and Ronald Raymond (Sherry) Bingham of Granbury, TX.
She also leaves nine grandchildren and a legacy of
great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Reginald
Bostwick of Tucson, AZ, and a sister, Arlene Nelson of Bethel, as well
as a cousin and several nieces and nephews. She also shared a special
relationship with John’s daughter, Christine Anne of Alabama. Besides
her husbands, she was predeceased by her sister, Ruth Bostwick, and
brothers Stanley and Carroll Bostwick.
Graveside services are scheduled for Monday, September 15th, 2025 at
2pm at the Haven Cemetery on Dairy Hill in South Royalton, VT. The
Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea, VT is in charge of
arrangements.
Because Dot, and other members of her family are cancer survivors, the
family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send memorial
donations in her name to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical
Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at
www.boardwayandcilley.com.