Obituary of Barbara Margaret Cooper

Barbara Cooper beloved wife of Sam Cooper of Calgary passed away peacefully on Monday, September 29, 2008 at the age of 66 years. Barbara was born on November 16, 1941, in Grenada, West Indies. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Convent in 1959, worked in the Agricultural Department until she moved to London, England in 1962 to attend Pitmans College. Upon graduation in 1966, she worked briefly with the BBC before immigrating to Toronto in the latter part of 1966. She worked as a Secretary in the Justice Department and later as a Court Reporter. In 1977 Barbara moved to Calgary to marry her soul mate. She worked as a Court Recorder and later as a Documentation Supervisor in the Family and Youth Court. In April of 2003, Barbara retired and continued to enjoy travelling, her favourite trip being a cruise through the Mediterranean. She was proud to have seen and travelled throughout Canada, including the Northwest Territories and Yukon, having only Newfoundland left unvisited. She is a honourable member of the North of 60 Chapter, Order of Arctic Adventurers. Barbara also loved to go camping, fishing, and especially canoeing. Barbara always had the desire to learn, and engulfed herself in the joy of reading a good book. She was a loving and devoted wife, sister, and friend to many. All those whose lives she touched will dearly miss her. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Sam; brothers, James, David, Francis, and Stephen Marrast; sisters, Lucy Gomez, Imelda Marrast, Mary Louise Salhab (Bill), and Valerie Johnson (George); niece Evelyn Marrast; nephew, Trevor Marrast; as well as by several other nieces, nephews and family members in other parts of Canada, Aruba, Grenada, the United States, Trinidad, Holland and England. Her parents, Alfred and Adella Marrast; brother George; and sisters, Veronica Marrast and Pauline Jackson, predeceased her. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.) Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W.) on Monday, October 6, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Condolences should be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made in Barbara’s memory directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, as well as to the Home Care Services staff for their wonderful care and compassion. In living memory of Barbara Cooper, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.