This memorial website was created in memory of our mom, Doris Anna Cooper (nee Cowen), 93, born on May 8, 1921 and passed away on October 12, 2014. We will treasure her always.
Tributes
Leave a tributeYou would be able to enjoy our scenery trip as the hwy has been upgraded and paved between Carnarvon and Haliburton. Missing you and our scenic tours XXOO
L
A beautiful Fall day in Cobourg.
You left us with beautiful memories.
Your love is always near.
Look forward to seeing you; Heaven we do not fear.
Love Wanda and Rick
Spent the day volunteering (something you did all your life, every day) and making music (piano and uke lessons). Hope you had a wonderful day celebrating in heaven. Miss you every day; so glad I have things all around our house that remind me of you.
Love Wanda
We sure miss you. Celebrating on Sunday Mother’s Day with sisters & families. A wonderful reminder of those happy days with you. Love You. xoxo
We know you are living on in those you loved.
Miss you always.
Wanda and Rick
Your Birthday and Mother’s Day have passed and out thoughts were with you. Missing you as always. I spent the afternoon with Gina and Emma for tea. I am so blessed to have them in my life.
Emma telling me she jumped off the dock again this time with no wet suit the ice has only been out about 3 weeks. She sure has your love for the water. I am sitting looking out at the water like you the last time you were at my house as I write this feeling your presence. XXOO Lynda
A beautiful sunny day today. Wish you were here to celebrate your birthday and Mother's Day with us. I am sure you are celebrating with Mary and Dad in heaven. Your girls are all doing fine and getting together in June to celebrate Sisterhood.
Love Wanda
Like the stars miss the sun
But we will always be together
You will always be our number one
Love Wanda & Rick
Miss you so much. Love Judy
Love Wanda & Rick
Wanda & Rick
Wanda & Rick
Lynda
One thousand hugs and kisses,
Judy
Love Judy
Sending you hugs and good memories of your sweet, gentle, caring, wonderful, amazing Mom xxoo
That she was!
Love Wanda & Rick
Today is my first Mother's Day and I know you had a lot to do with helping us get our little angel, Emma. I so wish you could have met her but I know you watch over her with Poppa, Auntie M & Grandma & Grandpa Brohm. Love you and miss you so much, Nana.
Missing you is the heartache that never goes away.
Love always Wanda & Rick
Thinking of Dad today brings cherished memories of you. You were a team and now together again. Miss you both so much. Thank you for the incredible legacy you gave us. Love Teresa
Your baby girl
Wanda
Leave a Tribute
You would be able to enjoy our scenery trip as the hwy has been upgraded and paved between Carnarvon and Haliburton. Missing you and our scenic tours XXOO
L
The Knitter - a poem by James B. Cooper
Poem written by Dad, about Mom
The Knitter
My wife is a knitter, such comfort she brings,
Creations by Doris, is giving away things.
The day should be longer & time should be more,
The items that are made would fill a big store.
She likes to be buying in bulky lots,
Especially for afghans with colour spots.
As we drive the highway, a mitt falls on the floor,
We get out of the car, another falls from the door.
At home is the same, & no idle place,
Another outfit, some new baby to grace.
There are socks, toques & mittens, whatever you ask,
A lot go to Missions to help with their task.
Thank God for a wife, who gives others a lift,
He has given us His Son, a most precious gift.
We're placed on this earth, but not here to stay,
He is coming again, to take us away.
Nana Cooper's Eulogy - Friday, October 17, 2014
Hello! I am Travis, the youngest grandchild. Let me tell you about my wonderful and funny Nana. Doris Anna Cooper was born on May 8th, 1921 on a Carnarvon farm. She was a waif of a thing, but little did we know she was made of steel. As a young girl she milked cows, made countless loaves of bread, was awakened in the night by her Dad to dress her Mom’s open leg sores, and raised her baby brother, Max, because her Mom died at an early age.
Nana was one of ten children. She is the last one to pass on. Nana worked hard on the farm but they had such great fun as a family. Their cousins were next door so they had enough kids to field two full baseball teams. There was only one pair of downhill skis for everyone. Nana learnt to ski, hanging on for dear life, standing behind Aunt Vi.
Nana met James Bird Cooper, our Poppa, on the side of the road when he stopped to help a broken down car. What a lucky day it was for him! That reminds me of the story about how Nana eventually got her driver’s license. Poppa taught her how to drive and, when they went to Minden to be tested, she drove the whole way without her license yet! When they arrived, the Examiner saw her drive in. He said to Poppa, “Is she a good driver?” Poppa said, “Yes, very good!” The Examiner said, “Well, that’s good enough for me!” And so she passed!
Nana and Poppa’s hearts and homes were always open to their neighbors, their family and friends, their Church, and to God. Nana and Poppa became Christians in their thirties and we have all benefited greatly from their walk with God. They have left their mark around the world, with missionary work and donations. Here in Haliburton they have several Cooper clan legacies:
At the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School is the Jim & Doris Cooper Scholarship in Mathematics. This scholarship is awarded annually to the high school student with the highest mark in Mathematics, Nana’s favorite school subject!
At the local hospital, just outside of town, you will see the Doris & James Cooper plaque on the wall for their donations to support Haliburton Highlands Health Services.
Last Fall Nana set up a legacy at Medeba Adventure Camp to send a local Haliburton child to day camp every summer. Nana and Poppa also donated the land and many countless hours to establish the West Guildford Gospel Chapel.
Finally, the last thing that comes to mind, because I was just there, is The James Cooper Lookout Trail at Beech Lake. We call it “Cooper Mountain”! Nana and Poppa and their business partners, the Pitts family, donated the land to Algonquin Highlands, with the condition the property be dedicated to PUBLIC USE. There were so many hikers and cars there this past weekend, we could barely find a parking spot!
Nana has touched all of us in some way. It is hard not to miss mentioning something. Maybe it is Nana’s Apple Crisp, her Peanut Butter cookies, her Christmas pudding, or the afghans and mitts and hats she knit. Maybe it is the baby clothes she sent to the missionaries, or the grown up clothes she sewed for her girls. Maybe your memories of Nana are from her Sunday School lessons at the Chapel, or maybe it was getting trounced by her at Skipbo. For all of us she taught us to love God, how to swim, and to always laugh.
Nana was sharp-minded to the end. Just on Thursday night my Dad called her to say, “Doris, we are coming up to see you!” Without hesitating she said, “Did you ask me if you could?”
In closing, we want to wish for YOU a long and wonderful and Godly and fun-filled life like Nana’s. Thank you ALL for being a part of our Nana’s life.