Jenny Cooper

JENNY FERGUSON COOPER

(NEE GEMMELL)

With great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Jenny Ferguson Cooper nee Gemmell on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at the Lion's Prairie Manor, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba at the age of 100.

Jenny was predeceased by her beloved husband, Douglas, her parents, Jessie and Andrew Gemmell, her brother Thomas Gemmell and sister Margaret Ogilvie-White. She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children Kelvin (Marlene) Cooper of Medford, New Jersey, Cleve (Shirley) Cooper of Okotoks, Alberta, Gail (Roger) Johnson of Calgary, Alberta and Betty (Gordon) Dufoe of Portage La Prairie. She is also survived by her sister Mary Brown of Sudbury, Ontario, 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Jenny's life was richly and long lived. She was born on June 17, 1910 at Bagot, Manitoba to Scottish parents who had immigrated to Canada at the turn of the last century. She was a very proud Scot and cherished and celebrated her heritage at every opportunity. After years on a barren and sparse homestead at Agardsley, Manitoba where she attended Rocklands School, she moved with her parents to Rignold and attended Image Creek School and went to High School in MacGregor. In 1930 Jenny graduated from Brandon Normal School with a Second Class Teaching Certificate. She first taught for three years at Glenmona School, Bluff Creek and another 4 years in Amaranth before she got married in 1937 and gave up teaching to raise a family. She resumed her teaching career in Amaranth in 1953 and taught until 1973. Jenny was an inspiring and much respected teacher and her many students of Amaranth have kept in touch with her over the years. Jenny was a member of the Women's Institute for over 70 years and received her 50 year pin with the Order of the Eastern Star in 2006. Special thanks to the nurses and staff of the Lion's Prairie Manor and to daughter Betty Dufoe for all the care and attention Jenny received while living at the Manor.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 10, 2010 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Service to celebrate Jenny's life will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie, Manitoba led by Reverend Julie Baker. Interment will take place in the family plot at Lakeland Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donation may be made in Jenny's memory to the Lion's Prairie Manor Foundation or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba a�" Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7 or a charity of one's choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com