Council proclaims October 25-31, 2020 as Mary Anne Cooper Week in Port Moody

Dr. Mary Anne Cooper – a recipient of Port Moody’s highest honour, the Freedom of the City award – will celebrate her 106th birthday on October 30, 2020. To mark this special occasion and to acknowledge Dr. Cooper’s many contributions to our community over the years, Council has proclaimed October 25 to 31, 2020 as Mary Anne Cooper Week in Port Moody.

All week, City Hall will be lit up in Dr. Cooper’s favourite colour, red. And we’re asking you to help us honour one of our most esteemed residents by sending along a simple birthday wish. If you’d like to wish Dr. Cooper a happy birthday, please visit portmoody.ca/macbirthday to submit a brief message online or, if you prefer, you can drop a card in a special box at City Hall (100 Newport Drive). All messages must be submitted or delivered by 12 noon on October 30, 2020.

In addition to declaring Mary Anne Cooper Week at the October 13, 2020 Regular Council Meeting, Council members supported a renewed commitment to celebrate the heritage and revitalization of the Ioco Townsite. This commitment honours Dr. Cooper’s passionate advocacy for the protection of this historic part of Port Moody.

The Ioco Townsite stands as one of few surviving early company towns in the Lower Mainland and is recognized as a heritage conservation area – a distinct area with special heritage value identified for conservation in the City’s Official Community Plan.

Dr. Cooper was the driving force behind the achievement of heritage conservation area status for the Townsite and the creation of Ioco Ghost Town Day, an annual event that celebrates the history of the Ioco Townsite and promotes the importance of heritage conservation in Port Moody. She served as a member of the City’s Heritage Commission for seven years and has also served on the board for the Port Moody Heritage Society.

Dr. Cooper has been honoured with a number of awards including:

• City of Port Moody Freedom of the City Award in 2011 for her years of service to the community in the areas of heritage celebration and conservation as well as environmental protection;
• City of Port Moody Heritage Award in 2011 (co-recipient with the Port Moody Heritage Society) for her work organizing Ioco Ghost Town Day celebrations;
• Heritage BC Ruby Nobbs Award in 2011 for heritage advocacy; and 
• BC Achievement Foundation Community Award in 2020 for her efforts to raise awareness of the need to preserve and celebrate Port Moody’s heritage, protect its green spaces, and reduce the challenges faced by older adults.

The City thanks Dr. Cooper for her meaningful and long-lasting contributions to our community, and offers heartfelt wishes for a very happy 106th birthday.