Obituary of Lois Jean Cooper

COOPER – Lois Jean Peacefully, with her daughters at her side, at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Monday October 15, 2012 while in her 93 year. For 52 years Lois Jean (nee MacDonald) was the beloved and devoted wife of John Sydney “Jack” Cooper, who predeceased her in 1997. Lois was the proud and loving mother of four daughters, Carolyn Kofler (Chris) of Sarasota, Florida, Marcia Pond (Barry) and Diane Wallace (Don), both of North Bay and Laurie Wilbur (Steve) also of Sarasota. Always interested in, and a part of all her grandchildren’s lives, Nanny will be lovingly remembered by grandchildren Kathryn and Laura Kofler, Erin and Allyson Pond, Kelly Wallace (Lorn Byers), Christy Ehgoetz (Ryan), Greg Wallace (Trang), Jennifer Wilbur (Derrick Pellow) and Diana Wilbur, and her cherished great grandchildren Ava and Emma Ehgoetz and Brooke and Lauren Pellow. Born in Ottawa, Lois was the only child of the late Elwood and Mabel (Kelly) MacDonald. An accomplished badminton player in her youth she won the Ottawa Junior Ladies Championship and thoroughly enjoyed skiing in the winter. She attended Ottawa Ladies College and graduated from Macdonald College, Magill University, Montreal. A proud veteran, Lois was a Lieutenant in the Red Cross during the war, serving in England and Belgium. While in Belgium she reconnected with Jack, whom she had met earlier in Ottawa, they were engaged in England, and in 1945 married in Ottawa. The Coopers raised their family here in North Bay, spending every summer at their Trout Lake cottage. Blessed with the ability to make friends wherever she went Lois continued to be active with the Red Cross well into her eighties, was a member of the IODE, the Triangle Club, and in her younger years Laurentian Ski Club. Following Jack’s retirement they purchased a winter home in Cape Haze, and later Sarasota, Florida. Following Jack’s death Lois published her memoirs of the war in her book War Time Letters Home. She will be sadly missed by her many friends and family. Lois enjoyed her final years at Harbourside Condominium and the Empire Living Center. In keeping with her wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may call at the Martyn Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 7 – 9pm and on Thursday morning, October 18th from 10:00am until time for a memorial service in the chapel at 11:00am. If desired donations to the Cancer Society will be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences at www.martynfh.com.