The family of Sarah Josephine (Jo) Wallace announces with sorrow her passing at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Saturday, July 22, 2017, surrounded by her loved ones. Jo was the daughter of the late George and Janet Cooper and was born on January 21, 1919 in Meaford Ontario. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Gerald Wallace. Devoted Mother of Jamie (late Brenda Fielding) Wallace of Sudbury, Lovie (Dan) Ferguson of Corbeil, and Jay (Ginette Morel) Wallace of Toronto. Amazing Grandmother of Jeffrey (Sarah) Wallace, Kristen (Dan Park) Wallace and Gordon Wallace, Scott (Krista) Ferguson, Jenny Ferguson, Kate, Eliza and Charlie Wallace. A wonderful loving" GG " Jo to Ruby and Jillian Ferguson, John and Katherine Wallace, and Brendan Wallace Park. She is predeceased by her brothers and sisters Frank (Lila) Cooper, Verna (Tim) Vail, Harold (Vi) Cooper, Marian (Stan) MacInnis and Herbert Cooper. Sister in law to the late George, Sybil, Ken, Rita, Harold, Eleanor, Bae, Miriam Wallace and Audrey and Al Bennie. Many special nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews will sadly miss their Aunt Jo.
She was a lifetime member of the IODE, Sir Herbert A. Bruce Chapter and the Esperanza Club.
Josie Cooper, of the Hummingbird Patrol, lived a very active life. She was a graduate from the St. Joseph's school of a Nursing, Toronto in 1941. She was an avid gardener, artist, reader and curler. Her love of curling showed in her many accomplishments from 1951 to the mid 80's. Starting in 1954, she was President of the North Bay Granite Club, Ladies section and she organized the "Nifty Fifty" League which was the forerunner of the Ontario Senior Ladies Curling Championship. In 1978, she competed in this event and conquered all of Ontario. She was one of two Ontario curlers representing Canada at the Scottish Curling Tour. Her "Ladies in Blue " held a very special place in her heart. She served as Vice-President and President of the Canadian Ladies Curling Association and was a lifetime member of the SLICS. She was inducted into the North Bay Hall of Fame and the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1986. For her tireless efforts and contribution towards her sport she was honored with the Ontario Special Achievement Award. Of her many Curling experiences, her participation and donation of the Mongoose Trophy was an event she enjoyed every year.
Jo always loved entertaining her family and friends at her Trout Lake home and driving in the boat to her favourite rock to picnic and party on Turtle Lake.
To those who knew her, she was kind to all, fun loving and energetic, and she was an amazing trailblazer. To know her was to love her.
The family would like to sincerely thank all those for the friendship and care given to Jo in her final years.
Visitation for Jo will be held at the Martyn Funeral Home on Thursday July 27, from 6:00-9:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John’s Anglican the Divine Church on Friday July 28, 2017 at 11am. Cremation at the Forest Lawn Crematorium and burial at the St. John's Cemetery at a later date. If desired, donations to the North Bay Regional Health Foundation for their current Cancer Care Campaign, or the charity of your choice, will be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences at ww.martynfh.com
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