Anne Peyton Cooper

Anne Peyton Cooper died peacefully at home on Friday, August 22, 2025 in Pelham, New York. 

Born December 6, 1928 in Washington, DC to Nancy Williams Peyton and Tom Lewis Peyton, she was a graduate of The Madeira School and Sweet Briar College. In 1948, she was selected by a joint US and Scottish exchange program as one of the first US female exchange students to study her junior year at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland.

 Anne began her career as a journalist with the Washington Star in Washington, DC in 1952. She moved to New York City and started as a researcher at Time Magazine in 1953. Working for Time, Inc for 13 years, Anne was part of a small group of women in the 1950’s to break through the glass ceiling to become reporters. She was promoted to a reporter at Time Magazine in 1955 and then became the Associate Editor of Architectural Forum in 1958. In addition, she worked as a reporter for Life Magazine from 1963-65. 

Anne was a long-time resident of Summit, New Jersey, Eleuthera, Bahamas and most recently lived in Pelham. She was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Pelham and a member of numerous genealogy societies, including The Peyton Society of Virginia and The Society of The Ark and The Dove. Anne was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, James Agar Cooper. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Peyton Coles, her son James Agar Cooper Jr., her son-in-law, David James Coles, her daughter-in-law, Samantha Graham Cooper and 3 grandchildren: Grayce Marshall Cooper, Lane Agar Cooper and Owen James Coles. A loving mother and grandmother and a devoted wife, she will be missed by many and forgotten by few.

 A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Pelham on Sunday, October 26 at 2:00pm followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Christ Church, 1415 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham, New York 10803 or Calvary Hospice Fund, 1740 Eastchester Avenue, Bronx NY 10461.