Burlington, Ontario
Mrs. Cooper is the widow of a D-Day Veteran, who has frequently participated in the activities of her husband's 14th Field Regimental Association. In 1994, two years after her husband's passing, Mrs. Cooper travelled to France with other Association members to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of D Day. The trip was so moving that Mrs. Cooper began working with other Veterans and helped create the 14th Field Regiment's Children's Association, which funded exchange visits between Dutch and Canadian school children. Those visits evolved into the creation of a permanent memorial in France to honour Canada's efforts during the Second World War. In 1999, this Association became the Juno Beach Centre Association and dedicated itself to the construction of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France. Along with the Association's founder and President, Garth Webb, Mrs. Cooper has devoted countless hours and worked tirelessly for more than ten years to help fund raise, construct and operate the Juno Beach Centre. In her capacity as Director and Treasurer of the Juno Beach Centre, Mrs. Cooper engages in daily correspondence with Veterans and supporters. She has also been the administrator for over 10,000 commemorative bricks sold and mounted at the Centre in Normandy.