Tuesday, October 24, 2006

WRA's Oldest Graduate Turns 103


It was a pleasure running into Ada Cooper Miller ’24 recently at Yours Truly Restaurant in Hudson where she was having lunch with members of her family who were visiting from the Albany area. She appears to be in good health and spirits a few weeks before she observes her 103rd birthday.

Born in England in 1903, Ada came to Hudson as an infant with her parents who were employed by James W. Ellsworth on his Evamere estate. Ada’s father was a gardener and landscape manager, and the family moved into a house on Franklin Street where Ada lived for nearly 99 years until going to the Elms Assisted Living here in Hudson. She graduated with the class of 1924, married Harry Cooper, raised a family and operated a successful florist business which she continued until about four years ago.

For many years Ada provided flower arrangements for the school, decorated the Chapel for commencement weekend, and was on hand on commencement morning to provide flowers and boutonnieres for the graduates. She served for 40 years on the Hudson Board of Education, was active in the Hudson Garden Club, Christ Episcopal Church, and the Hudson Senior Citizens. She was honored for her dedication to WRA on more than one occasion.

We send an affectionate salute to Ada and best wishes on her forthcoming birthday.