CORNELIA SARAH (CONNIE) OPPER (HOOGERBRUG)

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CORNELIA SARAH (CONNIE) OPPER (nee HOOGERBRUG) Passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Friday, October 19, 2007. Connie was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 4, 1931. She spent her early years in Red Lake, Ontario, and Noranda, Quebec. Connie returned to Winnipeg when her father enlisted in the Army. She graduated from Kelvin High School and entered the Grace Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as an R.N. in 1953. In 1954, Connie moved to Brandon to study psychiatric nursing at the former Brandon Mental Health Centre. She graduated as an R.P.N. in 1954, and it was at the B.M.H.C. that she met her future husband, Edwin, whom she married in August, 1954. Mom spent many happy years loving her work in the day hospital at B.M.H.C. retiring in 1992. Mom loved to give of her time and herself. She also enjoyed travel, which she did extensively during her retirement. She particularly enjoyed her volunteerism, especially at Central United Church, where, over the years, she assumed a number of roles. She was also active in Brandon's Prairie Oasis and Seniors for Seniors. She really enjoyed being a tourist greeter for the City of Brandon and her work at Brandon's Commonwealth Air Training Museum. Recently, Connie began to volunteer at the Assiniboine Centre. In the past she had been involved with the Streamliners' Club of Brandon, the Brandon Humane Society, MB Ostomy Association, and, during her working years, the M.G.E.U. Mom battled cancer since the late 1960s, and even with several recurrences, was amazing in her courage and energy. Last year her oncologist Dr. Pat Harris called her a miracle woman , a compliment she cherished. Connie is survived by her son, Dr. David Opper and wife Karen, grandsons, Daniel, Joseph, Adam, Mark, Aaron, Andrew and Noah all of Brantford, Ontario and son, Donald of Winnipeg. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Hoogerbrug and wife Cathy of Nanaimo, BC as well as a multitude of friends and several nieces and nephews. Connie was predeceased by her husband, Edwin in 1972; mother Catherine in 1970 and father Roy (Reyer) in 1983. The family wishes to sincerely thank Dr. J. Deong and the caring staff at the Assiniboine Centre. A time of visitation, for family and friends, will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 24, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Central United Church at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Shannon McCarthy officiating. Interment will follow at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Connie's seven grandsons. If friends wish, donations, in memory of Connie, may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8, Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th Street East, Brandon, MB, R7A 7M6 or a charity of one's choice. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. Arrangements are in care of Brockie Donovan, Brandon 727-0694.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 22, 2007