Former Flagstaff City Councilmember Karen Cooper, a "smart growth" advocate and an ardent champion of the city's nationally renowned urban trails system, died Thursday in Flagstaff. She was 68.

Active in the communities where she lived, Mrs. Cooper was the first woman elected to city council in South Haven, MI in the 1970's. She also served as county administrator and deputy clerk and recorder for Teller County , Colorado, where the family lived in the 1908's.

First elected to the Flagstaff City Council in 2000, Cooper advocated for what she called an "amenities-based" economy that emphasized Flagstaff's natural beauty, its small-town feel and its livable neighborhoods. She served for eight years on the Council after serving on the city planning commission.

She was active on both the commission and council in the development and passage of the Greater Flagstaff Regional Plan, the first comprehensive, long-term land use and transportation plan for the region. It sought to reduce the region's sprawl by combining residential and commercial uses in compact neighborhoods close to urban trails and open spaces.

As a councilmember, Cooper served as the liaison to the P&Z Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, Library Board, Public Art Advisory Committee, Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee. She was a determined advocate for the arts, open spaces and the local libraries.

Vice Mayor Al White, who served alongside Cooper for eight years on the Council, said she poured tremendous energy into shaping the trails system. He said it was her determination that defined the high quality of each trail, never allowing anyone to cut corners.

Several years ago, Cooper was honored by Friends of Flagstaff's Future with its Livable Community Award.

Mrs Cooper enjoyed hiking, camping, cross country skiing, supporting arts activities, travel, fine dining, reading and gardening. She was a 2010 Certified Master Gardner.

She is survived by her husband, the Rev. David G. Cooper three children: Michael Cooper of Colorado Springs,Co, Elizabeth Guss of Santa Fe, NM, and Catherine Cross of Towanda, KS; three grandchildren, her mother, Louise Kinne of Flagstaff; and two sisters, Sara Winter of Oakland, CA and Susan Kinne of Seatle, WA.

A memorial service for Karen K. Cooper will be held at Federated Community Church, 400 West Aspen Avenue (behind Flagstaff City Hall) on Saturday, April 17th, at 11 am. The Rev. Bill Guise of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Flagstaff and the Rev. Wendy Williams of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Flagstaff will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church (740 Turquoise Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001), Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (510 North Leroux St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001), or Olivia White Hospice Home (752 Switzer Canyon Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001).