COOPER: Joyce Evelyn Cooper, beloved wife of Robert, dear mother of Gregg, Barry, Donald and Beth, passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre on Wednesday, August 20, 2003. The Funeral Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 339-12th Street, on Monday, August 25, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Barb Alston will officiate. Interment will follow in the Brandon Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Friends who wish, may make a donation in memory of Joyce to Cancer Care Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9. Complete obituary information will follow. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to memorieschapel@mts.net. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

COOPER: Joyce Evelyn Cooper (nee Floyd), beloved wife of Robert, dear mother of Gregg, Barry, Donald and Beth, passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre on Wednesday, August 20, 2003. Joyce was born on October 22, 1928 at Lashburn, Saskatchewan. She was the sixth child born in a family of ten children to Harold and Evelyn Floyd. The family homesteaded near Blue Bell, SK starting out in a log house. She lived on the farm until grade ten, when she moved to Melita, MB to live with her grandfather, Rev. M.P. Floyd. He was the minister at the Presbyterian Church, where she became an active member. Although she never attended confirmation classes, as the minister's granddaughter she was presumed to already know these things. Joyce attended High School, participated in the "Debating Club", sang in the church choir and was active in the "Young People's" organization. At graduation, she was awarded the first Isbister Scholarship for top marks in the Inspectorate, and also won the Historical Society contest for knowing place names in Manitoba. Her first job as a permit teacher was at Diana School near Sinclair, MB. She taught ten pupils, nine of whom were French speaking. She boarded at the home of Margaret and Ken Hayward, her future in-laws. At Normal School, Joyce received the IODE bursary and the Dr. Alex McIntyre Memorial scholarship for general proficiency. After graduating from teachers college in Tuxedo, Joyce taught one year at Lyonshall School, near Killarney. She then taught three years at Alexander School, five years at Fleming School and two years at Park School. On October 12, 1957 she married Robert Ross Cooper of Little Souris District, south of Brandon. They were married for 45 years and together raised three sons and one daughter. While her children were young, Joyce lectured two years at Teacher's College, teaching speech to teachers in training. Later, Joyce was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend Brandon University, this time as a student. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in English and Geography. Joyce was awarded the Silver Medal in English. She later obtained her five year Bachelor of Education Degree in 1982. The biggest thrill for her was graduating that day with her son. Joyce returned to teaching and taught Grades 1, 2, and 3 at George Fitton School for 20 years. She conducted choirs, participated in festivals and composed original plays for the concerts her classes participated in. Her class was included in the Provincial Highlights Concert for their musical theatre, "How The Smarties Outsmarted The Jawbreakers." She was also entrusted with special needs children, especially those with disciplinary problems. One of her most cherished pastimes was writing poetry for all occasions. She wrote relevant verse for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions or other events that took place on the spur of the moment. Many a colleague had no sooner been through a harrowing experience of one sort or another, only to find the moment permanently inscribed in hilarious prose. Joyce also wrote poetry for the Lion's Roar and Beat 40, the school division newsletter. Joyce's Poem "Yesterday's Dream" was on display at City Hall during Centennial Year. Her poem "Music Is" is displayed in the music room at George Fitton School. In 1986 Joyce was asked to update the Brandon College song for Brandon's Home Coming Year. She composed the "School Patrol Song", "The George Fitton School Song" and "A Teacher's Prayer", an inspirational number for Delta Kappa Gamma International. She also sponsored a story and poetry writing competition at George Fitton School for fifteen years. In 1991, Joyce was nominated for the Lieutenant Governor's Award for literacy in Manitoba. She retired from teaching in 1993 and became a full time grandmother. Joyce devoted endless hours to her flower and vegetable gardens, helped out on the farm and had occasional luncheons with her "old cronies"(her retired teacher friends). Throughout her life, she served as an outstanding role model to her family. Even during time of illness, her first concern was for her family and their well-being. Joyce was predeceased by her father Harold Stillman Floyd in 1968; her mother Evelyn Floyd (nee Elson) in 1995. She is also predeceased by her sisters Francis Friesen, Marion Nielson; brothers Dick Floyd, Doug Floyd; brothers-in-law Peter Friesen, Ken Hayward, Jack Cooper; sister-in-law Myrtle Floyd; and her grandson Bo Robinson. Joyce is survived by her "favorite husband" Robert; sons Gregg (Johann), Barry ( Debbie), Donald (Calla); daughter Beth (Dale) Robinson; grandchildren Rob Cooper, Ross and Brett Cooper, Mitchell and Kylan Cooper and Sage, Landon, and Payton Robinson. She is also survived by her sisters Alma (Ken) Johnston of Killarney, MB, Dorothy (Gerald) May of Victoria, BC, Margaret (Rob) Elvidge of Vancouver, BC, Audrey (Morris) Lillienweiss of Salmon Arm, BC, brother David (Marge) Floyd of Sylvan Lake, AB, sisters-in-law Margaret Hayward, Edith Cooper, Ramona Floyd, Rose Floyd and brother-in-law Vagn Nielson. There are also many nieces, nephews and cousins. The Funeral Service was held at First Presbyterian Church, on Monday, August 25, 2003. Rev. Barb Alston officiated. The Urn Bearer was her nephew, Kelly Johnston; Soloists were Sage Robinson and Laurie Canart. Honorary Pallbearers were Vi McFarlane, Mabelle McMunn, Ruth Baker, Ruth Taylor, Colin Mailer, Steve Andreychuk, Bob Blair, Verna Pottinger and Ken Pugh. Interment followed in the Brandon Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Friends who wish, may make a donation in memory of Joyce to Cancer Care Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to memorieschapel@mts.net. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

TO YOU

I love you so, my heart is filled with longing
To keep you safe and sheltered from all ill.
To come to you, life's richest treasures bringing
And all your days with joy and sunshine fill.

To hold you close, in fond embrace caressing
To feel your cheek lie soft and cool on mine.
And hear your voice, your love for me confessing
This is to know a happiness divine.

Throughout all the years, till aging footsteps falter
And eyes grow dim, so that I cannot see.
Through life, beyond, my love will never alter.
I'll love you so, through all eternity.

- We Love You Mom -

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