LORAINE FRANCES MINISH-COOPER

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LORAINE FRANCES MINISH-COOPER B.Sc., L.L.B. March 23, 1951-August 15, 2002 After a courageous battle with breast cancer, Loraine passed away peacefully at home in Yellowknife, NWT, on August 15, 2002, in the loving presence of her beloved family and closest friends-with courage, dignity and an indomitable spirit. Loraine was born in Gilbert Plains on March 23, 1951 and in 1959, moved with her family to Swan River, where she was raised until she left to attend university. Loraine attended the University of Manitoba where she received her Bachelor of Science degree, then went on to Facility of Law, graduating with her law degree in 1979. Loraine moved to Yellowknife in July 1979, to article where she met and married Don Cooper, and then made Yellowknife her home. While growing up in Swan River, Loraine became an accomplished pianist, receiving her grade eight standing from the Royal Conservatory of Music and enjoyed and shared her music all of her life, including playing with the Centennial Choir in 1967. Loraine enjoyed many sports including baseball with her brothers, squash, tennis and ice-skating. Deeply mourned by her husband, Donald Merrill Cooper and their three daughters, Merrill, Megan and Margot; her loving parents, Roy and Edith Minish of Swan River, MB; her three brothers, Reid (Valerie: Melissa, Brittney), Brian, (Deanne, Brenna), Blair (Jill: Hans, Carly) father-in-law, Everett Cooper (Margaret Anne) of Lennoxville, Quebec and brother-in-law David Cooper (Kathy: Jason) of Thunder Bay, ON. Loraines many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews will also remember Loraine with great love and affection. Loraine was a very special friend and colleague to so many. Her legal career was distinguished included a term as President of the NWT Law Society, but it is her complete devotion to her family and her insatiable passion for gardening that will be especially remembered by all who knew her and loved her. A celebration of Loraines life was held at the Explorer Hotel, in Yellowknife on August 23 and a memorial was held at St. Andrews United Church in Swan River, August 29. Loraines ashes have been placed in cemeteries both in Yellowknife and Swan River. A Garden of Hope will be planted in Yellowknife in Loraines memory next spring. It was Loraines wish that the Garden of Hope would be a place of peace and comfort, particularly for all people with breast cancer and their families, symbolic of the hope that the scourge of the breast cancer will soon be eradicated. The Yellowknife Community Foundation will administer a Memorial Fund to establish and maintain the Garden of Hope. If you would like to contribute donations may be made to: Loraine Minish-Cooper Memorial Fund care of Yellowknife Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1620, Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2P2 The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the incredible support that has been given to them and Loraine by the people of Yellowknife and Swan River over the past four years, and to the wonderful team of health care professionals who cared for Loraine throughout her illness.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 07, 2002