Max(ine) Lynn Cooper Ford, a vibrant, kind-hearted, and fiery woman, passed away peacefully in Kennewick, Washington, on April 2, 2025, surrounded by her friends and family. Max was preceded in death by her father and mother, Dick and Helen Cooper, and her older sister, Joanne Tehrani. She is survived by her beloved husband, Darwin M. Ford, her four children, Laura Hale, Richard Curtin (Nicia), Jill Renz (Curtis), and TJ Cooper (AdriAnne); two sisters, Sandy Cooper (Greg) and Shirley Aguilar (Gene), her nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, many cherished friends, and extended family members.

She was born on December 26, 1955, in Albert Lea Minnesota to Helen and Dick Cooper. After a brief stay in Alden, the family moved to Freeborn, Minnesota. The Coopers lived on a farm for five years before embarking on an adventure that would take them to various places across the country. Their journey eventually landed them in Roy, Utah, where Max spent much of her childhood before moving back across the country to Hanover, Massachusetts. She graduated from Hanover High School in 1974. It was in Hanover that she met her first husband, Philip W. Curtin, they married in 1974. She gave birth to her first son Richard E. Curtin in 1977.

The family’s adventure continued as they packed up and moved back to Utah, where Max worked as a switchboard operator for the University of Utah and supported the football recruiting team. After a divorce, Max moved to Ogden, Utah, where she found her passion working as a fire dispatcher—an occupation she took great pride in. In 1980, she married Keith Anderson and in 1981, gave birth to her second son, T.J. Cooper. She devoted herself to raising her boys in Roy.

After her second divorce, Max met the love of her life, Darwin M. Ford. They married in 1995, and she embraced the role of “Mom #2” to Darwin’s two daughters, Laura and Jill, treating them as her own. Max and Dar’s life together took them on another big adventure when the Union Pacific Railroad moved Dar’s job to Oregon causing the couple to create a new home in Kennewick, Washington, where they spent the remainder of their years. At this time, Max transferred from the Department of Defense to the Department of Energy, where she worked with dedication for many years. She retired after 33 years of Federal Government service.

Max had a heart full of love and laughter, and she found joy in the little things. She loved houseboating at Lake Powell, Utah, with her friends and family, decorating her home for every holiday, and spreading smiles wherever she went. Soon after moving Kennewick, Max and Dar found themselves drawn to the Hydroplane Boat Races held on the Columbia River every summer. This was one of her favorite events to attend with her husband Dar. The friends they made at this event became part of her chosen family.

In her retirement, Max rediscovered her passion for painting, using vibrant colors to spread joy and creativity through her art; her beautiful works are proudly displayed in the homes of many family members, serving as a lasting reminder of her love, warmth and colorful personality. Max was active in painting events and volunteered with several local agencies, forming deep and lasting friendships along the way. Her warmth and generosity touched the lives of all who knew her. Max always wanted everyone to feel loved.

Max’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, an organization that was close to her heart due to her mother’s long struggle with the disease. Donations can be made at www.alz.org/donate.

Max’s legacy will live on through her family, friends, and the many lives she touched with her kindness, humor, and passionate spirit. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the care Max received at Kadlec Medical Center and The Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick.