CYNTHIA LAUREN COOP

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

CYNTHIA LAUREN COOP

January 26, 1929 - February 11, 2024

Cynthia Coop passed away at the age of 95 on February 11, 2024.
Determined, independent, talented, intelligent, creative, and unique. A respected professor of interior design, beloved educator, avid reader, epic cook. Loving partner to Isadore (Issie) Coop, and a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Cynthia was a true mid-century modernist, with formative years after graduating in interior design from the University of Manitoba (U of M) teaching interior design in Minnesota, and assisting Issie in the drafting of his Master's Thesis while he studied at IIT with Mies van der Rohe. But they loved their hometown, Winnipeg, and were very proud of their personal and professional contributions to the physical and cultural development of the city.
Cynthia had a memorable 30-year career as a Professor of Interior Design in the Faculty of Architecture at the U of M, which defined her life and her outlook on living. As did her 50 years of marriage to Issie. They shared their love and fascination for design and building, and collaborated on numerous architectural projects through Number Ten Architectural Group, both residential and commercial.
Cynthia was a U of M gold medallist, and member of the Board of Governors of the same university. She served as a founding member of the Urban Idea Centre of Winnipeg, Director and Vice President of the Interior Designers of Canada Foundation, and Board member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg Art Gallery, and Manitoba Arts Council.
She is deeply missed by her three children, Diana Zoe Coop, Jack Coop (Gail Goodman), and David Coop, her grandchildren, Anders Benjamin Nerman (Aviva), Danielle Nerman (Reza), Camille Wenner (Joshua), Max Goodman-Coop (Roza) and Daniel Goodman-Coop, and her great-grandchildren, Jacob, Levi, Liviya, Noah, Ari, Shuli, Elijah, and Sara.
Our hearts go out to Belen Malacaman, her devoted companion and friend, whose care and compassion kept her going every day until her passing.
Cynthia was predeceased by her husband Issie Coop, her parents, Laura and Ben Bookbinder, her sister Peggy (Jack) Searle, and brother Sidney (Sally) Bookbinder. She is lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews and their children.
A celebration of Cynthia's life will be held in Winnipeg in the springtime.
Donations may be directed to the charity of your choice or to the Isadore Coop Scholarship and Bursary at the University of Manitoba. This fund will be modified to the Cynthia and Isadore Coop Scholarship and Bursary, and will include two awards every year to outstanding students in need, one in Architecture, and one in Interior Design. https://give.umanitoba.ca/IsadoreCoop

Publish Date: Feb 21, 2024

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 21, 2024, Feb 21, 2024