Stephanie Hope Fisher Cooper

Stephanie Hope Fisher Cooper, a long time Asheville resident, businesswoman and civic leader, passed away after a long illness on December 29, 2024.

Born June 8, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY to the late Harold L. & Betty Fisher, Stephanie began her career as a legal secretary after receiving an Associate degree from Brooklyn College. In 1963, she moved to Miami, Fl where she continued working, was active in the Democratic Party and was Vice President of the Beth Tov Chapter of B’Nai Brith Women.

She and her first husband, the late Lloyd Cooper moved to Asheville in 1978 and founded the Cooper Travel Service, where she developed expertise in cruise travel and travel by people with disabilities. She later married the late Joseph Harrison, a Navy veteran.

Stephanie was named Asheville Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader of the Year, Business and Professional Women of Asheville Businesswoman of the Year, American Business Women Association of Asheville Woman of the Year, an “Unsung Hero” by American Airlines. She served on the Northwest Airlines Consumer Board on Disabilities and on the City of Asheville Police and Fire Disability Review Board.

Stephanie was an active community member serving as President of the Sisterhood and member of the board of Temple Beth HaTephila, Vice President and longtime board member of the Buncombe County Board of Hospice, and on the board of and mentor with Big Brothers and Sisters of Asheville. She was particularly active in the Asheville Optimists Club, for which she served as President, created a trip raffle which supported the club financially and was a regular participant in their annual SantaPal event. In her later years, she was an active volunteer with MANNA FoodBank.

She enjoyed Mahjong, solitaire, cribbage, cooking, latch hooking, coloring, reading and, most of all, social gatherings where she could share time with and make new friends.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother H. Leonard Fisher. She is survived by her twin sister Alice Fisher Rubin, her brothers Andrew S. Fisher, Kenneth K. Fisher, her daughter-in-law Barbara Cooper, her beloved granddaughter Amy Cooper, and the memories of her cheerful and caring personality by all who knew her.

A Memorial Service will be held on January 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Congregation Beth HaTephila, 43 N. Liberty Street, Asheville. Donations in her memory may be made to MANNAFoodBank.org.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.