Florence “Arvella” Cooper

Our Family is sad to announce that Florence “Arvella” Cooper (nee Mecham), after a lengthy battle with cancer, departed from this mortal sphere on December 11, 2023 at the age of 75.

Arvella was born in Bella Coola, British Columbia on April 16, 1948 to James Hyram Mecham and Edna Dorthy Clemenshaw.

Arvella is survived by her husband of 49 years Robert Bruce Cooper, six children and 19 grandchildren: Robert James Cooper, wife Kirby and their children Alyssa, Isaac, and Levi; Warren John Cooper, wife Meghan and their children Braydon and Marissa; Bonnie Lynn Leonard, husband Jason and their children Hailee, Ashley, Nathaniel, and Evan; Janelle Elizabeth Sunderland, husband Cameron and their six children James, Kevin, Aaron, Craig, Peter and Scott; Deanna Lucienne Kadatz, former husband Carson and their children Amrita and Akasha; and Justin Gregory Cooper, former wife Chelsea, and their children Emily and Elijah. She was predeceased by her brother Verdell Mecham and his daughter Kerry, and is survived by her brother Leland Mecham and her sister Merle Fredricksen as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Foothills Emergency Department, the staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic and the staff at the Southwood Hospice for their loving care. If there are angels among us, they live and work in these facilities.

Arvella had an independent soul and one of her favourite books was Anne of Green Gables. She demonstrated her independence when left a secluded valley on the coast of British Columbia to ventured off to university when she was only 17. Arvella attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah graduating with a teaching degree. After graduation she first moved to Cranbrook, British Columbia and took a job teaching there before she acted on some advice given her by her landlady. Namely that there were more boys of the marrying age in Calgary, Alberta and that she should moved there. Arvella took her advice and subsequently applied for and was hired by Calgary Public School system. She taught at Woodman Junior High and loved her students. Sometime after moving to Calgary, Arvella was introduced to the love of her life, thru a roommate, at a Church basketball game. Bob and Arvella were soon married and she retired from teaching when she was expecting her first child. After her youngest child started school Arvella went back to teaching but wasn’t comfortable with her position so she took a job at a day care as the before and after school room supervisor, a job that she enjoyed until she day she retired. All those that knew her can testify what a sweet spirit she had. Not one to be front and centre nevertheless Arvella inspired all those that she met by her hard work, a trait she inherited from her father. She was also a generous person and was always willing to help others, a trait she inherited from her mother. Arvella will be deeply missed.

A Funeral Service will be held for Arvella at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Foothills Stake Center (30 Everstone Boulevard SW, Calgary) on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. A light lunch will follow. Cremation has taken place at the Foothills Crematorium.