Cooper was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
She received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Bryn Mawr College in 1968 and a Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law in 1972.
[1] On July 26, 1991, Cooper was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey created by 104 Stat.
She was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 27, 1992, and received her commission on March 2, 1992.
She was confirmed and served on the court until February 26, 1998, under the name of Mary Little Parell.