Obituary of Martha Marie (Mary) Lorraine COPPING (nee Kyrein)

October 22, 1938 – St. Benedict, Saskatchewan
August 28, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Martha Copping of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2020 in her 82nd year.

Martha was born in St. Benedict, SK, to her parents Sophia and Joseph Kyrein, who immigrated to Canada in 1927 and settled in rural Saskatchewan, near Crooked River and Middle Lake.  She was the youngest of nine children: three in Germany and six in Canada.  Martha always said she was from “the farm.”  She loved life on the farm with her parents, brothers and sisters and especially loved the animals (horses most of all).  She was very fond of nature.  

Her family moved to Banff, AB, in 1950 when she was 11 years old and she attended Banff High School.  She met the love of her life, George (Red) Copping, while she was working as a waitress in Banff in 1955 and they were married in Canmore in 1957.  They had two children, Robert and Michelle and lived in Banff until 1961 before moving to Montgomery, AB, (now Calgary) with their children.  They completed their family with two more sons, Patrick and Joseph, in 1963 and 1965 and raised their children in Calgary.  

Martha was a fabulous homemaker and mother.  With a growing family and several pets, she always found time to maintain a large vegetable garden, from planting to harvest, and keep her amazing flower beds in order, as well as baking bread weekly and preparing everything from scratch.  She loved children and when her children were older, she operated a day home for many years.    

She liked Hank Williams, Elvis, and the Montreal Canadiens.  She was a hockey mom and had a badge to prove it.

She spent countless hours walking in nearby woods with her German Shepherds and later she enjoyed those walks on her own or with grandchildren, sometimes picking berries or wild herbs and just enjoying nature.

Her favourite season was what she called “late summer” – just as the days become a bit cooler and shorter and plant life begins to wither, but before the killing frosts.  Fittingly she chose this season to leave this earth.

Martha is survived by her children, Robert (Laura), Michelle (Bradley), Patrick, and Joseph (Jacqueline); as well as her five grandchildren Brett, Aaron, Ashley, Amanda, and Travis, all of Calgary, who will miss her dearly.  She is also survived by her sister Theresa Price of Chestermere, AB, and numerous nieces and nephews, both in Canada and in Germany.  

Martha was predeceased by her husband George in 1988, as well as her parents, and siblings John, Louise, Karl, Sophia, Maria, Joseph, and Anne.

A Private Family Service will be held with interment to be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Martha’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Martha Copping, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.