DOROTHY SUMPTER (COOPER)

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DOROTHY SUMPTER (COOPER) Peacefully, on March 26, 2002 after a brief illness, Dorothy started her heavenward journey. Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved husband Alex in 1995; by her brothers, Edward and Richard; and by a granddaughter, Holly Cole, in 2001. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Edith (Roy Heinrichs), Margaret Stewart (Ken Light) and Elizabeth Cole; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her brother, Bill Cooper of Burnaby, BC; and her sister, Evelyn Nemeth of Cochrane, AB. Dorothy was born in Winnipeg in 1909. Her family moved to Dauphin when she was a young woman, where she met and married Alex in 1934. They lived in Dauphin for the next 58 years. A very important and sustaining part of Dorothys life was her faith and her church family. She was one of the charter members of the Catholic Womens League group at St. Viators Church in Dauphin, where she was a parishioner for close to 60 years. Dorothy had great affection for her many friends in the Dauphin O.O.R.P. No. 87, and her very dear longtime church and neighbourhood friends in Dauphin, as well as the new friends of her last 10 years in Winnipeg. Dorothy was a remarkable woman; an inspiration to all who knew her. She was keenly interested in continued learning, even up to the last few months of her life. When she was almost 70 years old, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree by correspondence. When she was 85, she purchased and learned how to use a computer. In 1978, Dorothy and daughter Edith travelled for four weeks through European countries from England to Greece. Highlights of this trip for Dorothy were a week spent exploring Rome and the Vatican (where she attended Mass), and visiting ancient sites in Greece. Dorothy made more memories on a second trip to England with daughter Margaret and a very dear Dauphin friend, Doreen Inkster, a few years later. In 1992, health concerns forced Dorothy and Alex to move to Winnipeg where they could be closer to family members. After Alexs death in 1995, Dorothy continued her travels, referring to herself as a "galloping grandmother". For the past six years, she spent time each winter in Mesa, AZ with Edith and Roy. She enjoyed visits to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and many other southwestern spots. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember her as loving each of them unconditionally and always having time for them - to teach them how to fish, how to knit, how to play a card game, etc. They still think she made the best rhubarb pies in the world. Dorothys family and friends have items they will always treasure because they were made with love by Dorothys hands. She was always busy creating things to give to someone. Family members feel very blessed to have had this wonderful, loving woman as part of our lives. She leaves our world a better place for the impact her gentle love had on so many people. The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Coates for his most kind care of "Mom" over the years. We would also like to thank ALL of the wonderful doctors and staff of the Palliative Care Unit, St. Boniface Hospital, for their gentle and compassionate care. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. John Brebeuf Church on Thursday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. Dorothys ashes will be interred beside Alex following a second service in Dauphin in May. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Palliative Care, St. Boniface Hospital or a charity of ones choice.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 09, 2002