She was born in Saskatchewan, the second child and only daughter in a family of six. Her father’s career as a doctor moved the family to Taber, AB and then to Rossland, BC where she finished high school. She graduated with honours at the UBC School of Nursing before becoming a mother of three children. Not being totally satisfied with full-time motherhood and determined to be a catalyst for positive change in the world, she later pursued a masters degree in social work and became the director of the Nechako Centre Chemical Dependency Programme in Prince George until her retirement in 2000. She and Jack then moved to Vancouver Island, building a beautiful home together overlooking the sea near Sooke. In 2019 they decided to pull up stakes and move to Esquimalt where they could walk to church and Elaine could tend to a smaller garden.
Elaine was an early advocate for women’s equality and passionate about many social causes. She took great pleasure meeting new people and was especially drawn to people of diverse backgrounds. She was a faithful member of the United Church and wholly supported its transition to accepting members of different sexual orientations. She and husband, Jack, made lasting friendships wherever they spent time and will be dearly missed by all.
Throughout her life Elaine was a woman of deep faith, compassion, dedication, curiosity and abundant optimism. She is remembered and much loved by many, especially her children, Greg, Jennifer and David, son-in-law, David, brothers, Ken, Doug and Brian, sister-in-law, Kathleen, aunt, Sheila, grandsons, James, Eric and Daniel, and many nieces, nephews and cousins from coast to coast. We will miss her physical presence, but her spirit will always be with us.
Wise woman
Strong woman
Life-giving woman
Woman of spirit
Woman of power
Woman of peace
Blessed be*
Donations in her name can be made to the United Church of Canada Mission and Service.
*thank you, Barb Dean
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the HOOPER family.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.6