Rita L Cooper

Our dearest Rita (Champagne) Cooper, passed away peacefully at the age of 76, in the Cornwall Community Hospital on June 15, 2024, with her son Daniel MacMillan (Jenny) by her side, and who had also made up half her world. Predeceased Rita was the second half of her world, her daughter Sylvie Rzadkowski, and the love of her life, the late Phillip Cooper - both who will be welcoming her home with open and loving arms. Thank you, Rita, for teaching us all to never give up on love, and never give up on the people you love.

Rita is survived by her brother and his wife, Hubert and Barbara Champagne both of whose love has followed her through her whole life, along with their children, Joanne (Tom) Champagne, Julie (Alex) Mesman, and Michel (Christine) Champagne. Thank you to Hubert, Barbara, Joanne, and Julie for being with her until the very end. She is also survived by her sister Eva Champagne (late Fernand Cholette) and her children, Line (Alain) and François (Manon) Cholette, along with their families.

Rita was the proud grandmother to Thomas, Olivia (David), Trinity, Savannah, Jessica (Kyle) and great-grandmother to little James. She was the great-aunt to Kevin, Amanda, Ryan, Ashley, Samuel, Karine, Charlotte, Virginie, Taïga, Antoine, Ava, Stella, Holden and Elias.

Rita was known for her generous and kind spirit. She was the heart and soul of our family, and she will be dearly missed.

Even at the end she found a way to make others smile and laugh, by joking with the student nurses and her son from her hospital bed. Rita will be remembered for how she always was available for others, her baking, playing board games with her family, causing mischief with her neighbour Liz, making crafts with her friends, and her fervour for life and all its opportunity.

At Rita’s request, there will be no services, but before she passed, she made it known she wanted us all to share a laugh and raise a glass in celebration of her journey home. We love you, Rita!

John 16:22

“Therefore, you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”