Catherine Opal Cooper

Catherine Opal Cooper, 5, of Idaho Falls, passed away July 4, 2025, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Island Park, Idaho.

Catherine was born August 31, 2019, in American Fork, Utah, to Scott Donald Cooper and Jessica Necole James Cooper. The family moved back to Idaho Falls in 2022 after living abroad.

Catherine had a captivating sense of humor and a deep love for her sisters, cousins, neighbor friends, and her pets. She was often spotted in her neighborhood being dragged by her dog, Luna, while carrying her ferret, Mr. Ferguson. She loved making videos with her big sisters, as well as writing letters and leaving sweet notes and gifts for her family and neighbors. Catherine loved to read, was skilled at math, and could recall her day’s activities during family dinners almost to the second. Her mind was so bright and positive and she was the perfect child to raise. She was a mama’s girl, cherishing every moment with her mom and delighting in being called “baby”—a name reserved just for her, a special bond no one else shared.

She loved reading books and exchanging them for points toward rewards, earning herself a tiny digital camera right before a family cruise in June and was dedicated to earning points towards a stuffed animal next. Catherine was looking forward with great excitement to joining Kidz Company Show Choir this year alongside her sister, Gwendolyn. She was fearless and wanted to imitate her sisters in everything they did.

One of Catherine’s best jokes was pretending her arms were stuck lifted in the air whenever she would feign being asleep in the car during short rides, much to the delight and laughter of her family. At night she prided herself on giving the softest and sweetest of kisses, just barely getting her lips close enough to your cheek that you could barely feel it. Her entire persona was sweetness.

Catherine was an almost perfect clone of her big sister, Morgan. Not only would you need to use dates to know which child was which in baby photos, but even Apple’s photos app would have difficulty with it’s facial recognition between the two of them.

Catherine is survived by her parents, Scott and Jessica Cooper of Idaho Falls; her sisters; her grandparents; and all of her uncles, aunts and dozens of cousins with more announced to be on the way.

She was preceded in death by her dear sister, Emi, who has been waiting for over 10 years to finally meet her. The family takes joy in knowing that Catherine is in her loving arms while they wait to see her again.

Private family services will be held.