Jill Cooper was born on July 1st, 1953 to Allan and Betty Cooper. The second of five children, her heart began in less than pristine condition – in that day and age she was called a blue baby.
Over the decades, Jill had a number of corrective heart surgeries. All this lent towards a lady of compassion and grace, as she ministered to others who experienced life’s quirks – bringing to them hope and heaven!
Jill’s open heart surgery at 12 years of age led to total heart block at 17 years of age. This condition required the implant of a pacemaker – something that powered her life until her death.
Not to be stopped by adversity, Jill completed her Grade 13 in Ontario in 1972 and headed to the bald prairies, landing in Regina at Canadian Bible College for studies. In 1973 she met a fellow student, Ron Baker. She graduated college with a Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Music in 1976. The same year she married Ron and moved to Kindersley, Saskatchewan to begin Christian ministry with her new husband.
In 1984 their son Tim was born and adopted into their family. Two years later, in 1986, their daughter Allison was born and also adopted into the family.
Jill served as co-minister with Ron in two pastorates in Saskatchewan – Prince Albert (1994-2005) and Kindersley (1976-80; 2005-2012). She also provided support for Ron in his educational endevours at the University of Alberta (1984-1986) and at Canadian Theological Seminary (1980-1983) – where he later served as Registrar (1986-1994).
Jill was known, among other things, for her excited and quick talking, her musical accomplishment and her love of nutritional cooking! More than once it was remarked that even at 1/2 speed she was twice as fast as those around her.
Jill’s love for Jesus and her obvious love for others were foundational to her daily walk in this world. She was particularly thrilled with the opportunity to enjoy her two grandchildren, Christopher and Hannah.
Jill was predeceased by her father, Allan and is survived by her mother, Betty, sisters Brenda and Laura and brothers Marc and Phil, her husband Ron, children Tim and Allison (married to Scott Opseth), and grandchildren Christopher and Hannah.
Love you, Jill!!
Oh Ron, what a joy to have had such an amazing parther in life and love. Jill was a bright light to all who knew her. What a privilege to have met her and spent time with you both.
We are so sorry for this loss from your life. We are glad Jill is with her Jesus, but we want to stand with you and your family in prayer as you face this time of sadness in giving her up.
God be with you Ron in mercy and compassion.
It was just a blessing and delight to know Jill. We thank God for her life and for you Pastor Ron. You both have been an inspiration to us.
Thanks Ron for sharing a little of Jill’s life journey. I remember with much joy a conversation with Jill at Retreat last year where we shared our ‘heart’ journeys and the Lord’s great grace to us. The Lord’s comfort & blessings to you & family.
So sorry for your loss Ron. May you know the strength, hope, comfort, peace and grace of our Lord Jesus, in your sorrow and in your celebration of Jill’s life.
What a wonderful tribute to your precious wife, Ron. I think we met when SA was at CTS on our Canada tour. How wonderful to know she is with the Lord and that we who know and serve him will join her soon. God’s peace to you and you family.
Ron and family,
I’m so saddened by your loss. I have nothing but good memories of Jill.
We enjoyed the music halls of CBC together. We laughed together much.
May you experience God’s peace that passes all understanding as you rely
on Him. With love and prayers. Patti and Larry Schroeder
Lovely writeup, Ron, of my remarkable daughter. You two, have had a great ministry over the years and she enjoyed it all. Mom Cooper
Thanks for sharing this Ron. I always loved my conversations with Jill. She was always down to earth, authentic and compassionate towards all she met. We pray for you and the family through the loss you are experiencing.
Ron,
We were so shocked by how fast things progressed with Jill’s heart and feel like this hit us like a hurricane.Always remember you are in our thoughts and prayers and if there is anything we can do, let us know!!!
Psalm 144: 1-2″ Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues people under me.”
Ron, take refuge in him like a child who takes refuge with his parents during a lightning storm in the night.Draw close and let His arms give you comfort.
Ron, Tim, and Ally,
We are praying for you all. It was so good to read this. Jill was an inspiration to all of us and we are eternally grateful for her. Her heart worked very hard over the years!
God bless you all and we are praying for you. May God’s peace fill your hearts in this deep valley time in your life.
Thank you Ron,
i can still hear her quick laugh, excited chatter, and see her standing with her arms folded over her chest…getting ready for her next mission, whether it was a meal, something at church, or a nap on the sofa to save up some energy for the next event. What a mentor, what a friend…a partner, a grandma, a child of God, now healed fully and enjoying the unending joys of heaven.
I thank God our paths crossed when they did, and for everything she taught me. Tim, Allie, Ron…you forever hold a place in our hearts. We are continuing in our prayers for comfort and strength as we figure out life without Jill.
love and prayers,
Beth Gobeil
Ron,
What a wonderful tribute to Jil! She was an amazing person! We will miss her chatter, her great meals and her sunny smile!
See you soon –
love an prayers,
Heather
That was a great tribute to your fantastic wife, Ron. She was a fantastic person and always great to see her and talk with her. We are praying for you and your family continually.
We were at Alliance World Fellowship in Toronto with several alumni from CBC days when we heard of your loss. Ours hearts all went out to you and we will be praying for you and your time of grief.
We are sorry for your loss, Ron which I’m sure is deeper than any of us can imagine — unless we’ve been through something like it. We have memories of your lives together in Regina and are happy for the many years of ministry that you shared and for the blessings of your children. May the Lord comfort your hearts as only He can in these days. Our prayers will be with you.
Hi Ron,
reading the tribute just brought back so many memories. Lorraine was thinking today about the song we sang together with Jill, Ride the Morning Winds taken from Psalm 139.
I can ride the morning winds and You are there
I can sail the widest seas and You are there.
I can find the darkest night and You are there
O Lord, I can never be lost from You.
thinking of you so much these days,
Murray and Lorraine
Hi Ron, I just heard the news, and my heart goes out to you, Tim, and Alli. I have so many wonderful memories from Regina and PA. Praying for peace and comfort for you all.
Beverly
Ron, thanks for taking time to share in detail during your time of deepest grief. You have given us much to reflect upon…and good resolve to carry on in noble fashion even as Jill has led us. May God continue to be your comfort, strength and ever present help.
Ron, Tim and Ali,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sadness and loss.
For somebody who lived with a defective heart, Jill certainly filled her life and those who benefitted from her presence in a most effective manner. A true servant of our Lord Jesus, whose gifts of music and consideration for others was an inspiration to us all, and hugely suppotive of Ron’s ministries.
Ray and Lila Willis and Families.
Ron and family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Jill’s death. She was a special person and even though we didn’t keep in touch these last few years I have many wonderful memories of her. She will be missed a lot. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linne Dyck
Ron: It was with great sadness when we learned of Jill’s passing. Our prayers are with you and the family. May God comfort and strengthen you.
Hello Ron, I just heard of Jill’s home going and regret not knowing this lovely woman of God. I also regret not connecting over the years but our thoughts are with you and yours. May God’s supernatural Shalom encompass you at this time and the coming days.