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Veronica (Balfe) Cooper 1913 - 2000

Veronica (Balfe) Cooper was born on May 27, 1913 in Kings County, New York United States. She was married to Gary Cooper, and died at age 86 years old on February 16, 2000 in New York, New York County. Veronica Cooper was buried at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Cemetery 231 County Rd 39a, in Southampton, Suffolk County.

Veronica (Balfe) Cooper

Rocky, Sandra Shaw

May 27, 1913

Kings County, New York, United States

February 16, 2000

New York, New York County, New York, United States

Female

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Veronica (Balfe) Cooper Veronica Cooper (1913 - 2000)

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Veronica (Balfe) Cooper's History: 1913 - 2000

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Introduction

Veronica "Rocky" (Balfe) Cooper was born to Harry Russel Balfe (1891 - 1965) and Veronica Gibbons (1882 - 1958). Her father was born in Texas and her mother was born in Brooklyn, New York. Veronica Balfe married Frank James "Gary" Cooper (1901 - 1961) on December 15, 1933 in Manhattan, New York. Gary Cooper was a well-known actor. They had one daughter, Maria Veronica Cooper, who was a painter. Veronica, known by her friends as "Rocky" and also as an actor as Sandra Shaw, was also an actress. For her credits, see Veronica (Balfe) Cooper: Professions. After Gary died, Veronica Cooper married John Marquis Converse, M.D. (1909 - 1981) on June 27, 1964 in Westport, Connecticut. John Converse was a well-known plastic surgeon. For details about the life of "Rocky" Cooper Converse, see Veronica (Balfe) Cooper: Obituary.
05/27

1913

Birthday

May 27, 1913

Birthdate

Kings County, New York United States

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Veronica was Caucasian. Her father was born in Texas and her mother was born in New York.
Nationality & Locations

Born and raised in New York City, Veronica moved to Beverly Hills, California in the 1930's. She lived in Southern California the rest of her life, moving back to New York in her 80s. She died in Manhattan, New York at the age of 86 and is buried in Suffolk County.
Early Life & Education

Veronica attended Miss Bennett's School for Girls for her education.
Religious Beliefs

Veronica and her daughter, Maria, were both devout Catholics.
Professional Career

Veronica was an actress, who acted under the name Sandra Shaw. She played parts in "King Kong", "Blood Money", and "No Other Woman", as well as the sleepwalking countess in the Clark & McCullough comedy short "The Gay Nighties" (1933). She also played herself in Hedda Hopper's "Hollywood No. 3" (1942), and appeared in a few television shows and documentaries.
Personal Life & Family

She was an enthusiastic sportswoman and was the female California skeet champion in the 1930s. She also enjoyed golf, swimming, tennis, and scuba-diving.
02/16

2000

Death

February 16, 2000

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

New York, New York County, New York United States
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Cemetery 231 County Rd 39a, in Southampton, Suffolk County, New York 11968, United States
Burial location
Obituary

Veronica Cooper Converse, Widow of Gary Cooper, 86 MARCH 7, 2000 Veronica Cooper Converse, the widow of the actor Gary Cooper, died on Feb. 16 at her home in Manhattan. She was 86. Ms. Converse married Mr. Cooper in 1933. After his death in 1961 she married Dr. John Converse, a plastic surgeon, who died in 1981. Known as Rocky, Ms. Cooper was the daughter of a governor of the New York Stock Exchange. She occasionally worked as an actress under the name Sandra Shaw. She was an active fund-raiser for the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at New York University Medical Center. In her youth Ms. Converse was a noted athlete; she was the California State Woman's Skeet Champion, as well as a golfer, swimmer, scuba diver, surfer and tennis player. She was born in Brooklyn, and is survived by her daughter, Maria Cooper Janis. ORIGINAL NAME Veronica Balfe BIRTH 27 May 1913 Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, USA DEATH 16 Feb 2000 (aged 86) Manhattan, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA BURIAL Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Cemetery Southampton, Suffolk County, New York, USA Actress. Wife of screen legend Gary Cooper, "Rocky" was a devoted wife and mother to their only child, Maria. Prior to her 1933 marriage, she embarked upon a brief career in film using the screen name of Sandra Shaw. One of the films in which she was briefly featured was the classic King Kong. A respected athlete, she was California State Woman's Skeet Champion during the 1930s. In addition, she was an avid golfer, swimmer, scuba diver and tennis player. After Cooper's death in 1961, she returned to New York City and later married world-renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. John Converse. After his death in 1981, she perpetuated his life's work through philanthropic efforts for the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Medical Center. A woman who found great strength in her Catholic faith, she was a lifelong supporter of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut.

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18 Memories, Stories & Photos about Veronica

Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

04/04/2024

Veronica (Balfe) Cooper

Maria Cooper Janis
December 15, 2023 ·
Today, my heart swells with love and admiration as I reflect on the incredible woman who shaped my world — my mother, Rocky.

Mom's influence was like a lighthouse, guiding us with her unwavering love and resilience. In the subtle gestures, in the warmth of her embrace, she etched a legacy that time can never erase.

I'm curious about the remarkable women in your lives. What enduring lessons have you learned? Share your thoughts or perhaps a cherished memory that resonates with the spirit of strong, extraordinary women.

#MariaCooperJanis #RockyCooper

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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