Marjory Koop (nee Schmucker)

Obituary of Marjory Mae Koop (nee Schmucker)


March 17, 1925 - Fayette, Ohio, USA

November 20, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

 

Marjory Koop (nee Schmucker) passed away November 20, 2022, at her home in Calgary at the age of 97 years. She leaves to mourn her children, Sandi (Lorne), Doug (Margaret) and Julie (Brent); her five grandchildren; one great grandchild; along with numerous friends and adopted family, from church and communities. She was predeceased by her husband, John in 2011 and her sister, Kathryn in 2012.

 

From earliest childhood in the American Midwest, Marj felt called to be a missionary. After graduating from Bible school and nurses’ training in Chicago, she joined the SIM mission agency and went to Ethiopia. There, she met and married John Koop, and the couple worked throughout the country while raising their family. They remained for 30 years and served in many roles, most notably as pioneers in developing the mission’s printing and literature operations.

 

Marj moved to Canada in 1980 to work in SIM’s Toronto headquarters. Here she again worked side by side with John in literature and media work. They maintained a hospitable home and were active and committed members of a local church.

 

After retirement, she and John moved to Calgary in 1993. Soon they were involved with the congregation of Varsity Bible Church. They loved to pray together. A passion for global mission was a constant in their lives. They opened their home to many and relished time with their children and grandchildren. Marjory wrote two books of vignettes of incidents and adventures from her years in Ethiopia. She also kept journals and scrapbooks dating back to the 1930s. Even during the long, lonely days of Covid, she always had something she was interested to read and remember. She thought about her death as well and left the following as her “Final Testament and Praise.”

 

“I know I was a sinner

I confessed and repented of sin

I acted on that knowledge and confession and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour.

And now, I’m safe at home in his presence.

I thank the Lord for bringing so many dear people into my life”.

 

Funeral Services will be held at Varsity Bible Church (4807 Valiant Dr NW, Calgary, AB) on Friday November 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the church. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Koop’s service streamed live on the day of the service at https://youtu.be/rsvOWItjo4s. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Marj’s preferred charities: SIM Canada, Varsity Bible Church, Cancer Care. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

 

In living memory of Marjory Koop, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.



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