'An inspiration' to many: Port Moody community mourns the loss of Mary Anne Cooper
Cooper, who lived to be 107 years old, was a passionate advocate for the preservation of Ioco townsite as a heritage and cultural site; screening of the Spirit of Port Moody documentary about her life and the city to be screened.
TriCity News | December 11, 2021 | Diane Strandberg
Port Moody is in mourning this week after a Freedom of the City recipient died on the weekend.
Mary Anne Cooper was a well-regarded heritage activist who was also an award-winning swimmer, environmentalist and volunteer.
She was 107 years old.
“I will miss her very much. She was a dear friend,” said Jim Millar, executive director of the Port Moody Station Museum, who worked with Cooper on multiple projects, including the annual Ioco Ghost Town Day event and heritage recognition of the Ioco townsite.
“She was always an inspiration to me,” said her daughter, Corrina Goodman, who said her mom passed away quietly on Sunday morning (Nov. 28).
Goodman said her mother had hoped to see Ioco townsite preserved as a heritage, cultural and education destination and she hopes others will carry on the work.
“She was so big on people working together,” said Goodman, adding that preserving the townsite as a destination was an important issue for Cooper. “It was the thing that was keeping her alive.”
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