Dorothy Walker Cooper

It is with saddened hearts the Cooper family announces the passing of Dorothy Walker Cooper on October 28, 2022 at the age of 91. Dorothy was born on June 24th, 1931 and is survived by her loving children Jean and James Cooper. Her son Joseph Cooper passed away on Feb 27, 2021. She will be missed by her two grandchildren, Liam and Marc, her sister Margaret Schuler as well as her nephew Andrew and his family.

Dorothy was born in Toronto and lived her life here, other than a 1 year jaunt out to Vancouver when she was in her late teens. Her parents were originally from Scotland and spent much of the early part of the 1930s travelling back and forth by boat, trying to decide whether to make Canada their new home, finally settling here by the mid 1930s.

Dorothy married her childhood sweetheart, James Cooper in the late 1950s and proceeded to have three children in quick succession. In the early 1960s, she found employment with Imperial Life as a secretary, and by the time she retired in the early 1990s, she had advanced her standing at the company to become Senior Medical Underwriter.

After retirement, Dorothy came into her own. She took the opportunity to do all the things in life she loved. She enjoyed her 30 plus years of retirement to the fullest.

She loved to bake and took advantage of every opportunity to use her culinary skills. Whether it was a party or get together at her condo, a family birthday, a holiday or an AA celebration, she was always there with a cake, fudge, cookies or some delicious hors d’ouevre. She was never afraid to try making something new.

She bought a condo in retirement where she could pursue one of her other passions, her love of flowers. It was her pride and joy each year to install 10-15 planters on her wraparound balcony which she lovingly attended to all summer long.

In 1961, Dorothy was given the gift of sobriety and spent the next 61 years passing this gift on to those who wished to receive it. Her dedication to the AA program was inspirational. Her strength of character, wisdom, wit and sense of humour were greatly appreciated and will be missed by all.

The most important thing in Dorothy’s life was her family. She had a close relationship with her sister Margaret who lived in Arnprior, they spoke every day on the phone and saw each other whenever they could. Sunday dinners were de rigueur, and were enjoyed until the end of her life. She looked after everyone in the family, with special care given to her son Joe, who suffered from schizophrenia.

She was a true matriarch in every sense of the word.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday November 13th 2022 from 1:00 pm -3:00 pm followed by a service at Giffen Mack and Trull Funeral Home located at 2570 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON (2 minute walk from Main subway)

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to be sent to Michael Garron Hospital or Toronto Intergroup

Please join the family following the service for food and refreshments in honour of Dorothy at the Party Room at 757 Victoria Park Ave (Victoria Park and Danforth). Parking is available (and free) in the Victoria Park subway parking lot. Please don’t park under the building as there is major construction going on and all spots are reserved.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.giffenmackdanforth.com for the Cooper family.