Helena Mary Cheesman
adopted by the Cooper family
Mary was adopted in 1924 along with Ralph by Joseph Stinson Cooper and his wife Martha Elsie Taylor. They would change the order of Mary’s name making Helena her second name instead of her first. Mr. Cooper's parents Joseph Cooper and Charity Ann Shaver had lived and farmed in the Parysound district for over 30 years. In 1907 they relocated to a farm just above Stouffville on the 10th line of Whitchurch. By 1911 the family had relocated to a farm on the 2nd concession of Uxbridge. Here Joseph along with his brother Walter would help their parents with the farm. Joseph Jr and Martha married on the 14th of March 1917 and would continue to live in the area. In 1924 a friend of the Joe and Martha, Walter Davis, told them about the plight of the Cheesman children and they agreed to adopt Ralph and Mary. Muriel's aunt, Mary Sheehey, would reside next door to the Coopers allowing Mary, Muriel and Ralph to have some contact with one another. Unfortunately while growing up Muriel was not allowed to know these were her siblings. Mrs. Sheehey would also served as teacher to Ralph and Mary.
Mary married Les Mitchell in Goodwood, Ontario on March 7th 1941. Her sister Gwen would sing at her wedding and brother Ralph was the best man. The couple resided on Concession 2 Uxbridge, Ontario and there raised two daughters, Carol and Doreen. Mary and Les retired in 1971 and moved to Goodwood.
During WW2 Mary staying in contact with Sidney and Ralph who were both serving in the war. She was on hand in Toronto to greet Sidney when he returned. Ralph and Gwen were also there. Ralph had returned from war before Sidney. The siblings were able to spend a week together before Sidney headed back out to McCord. Mary and Les were able to travel west several times to visit the family there. In about 1972 Rupert came to live in Ontario. Mary had helped him settle and gave him a place to stay while he looked for work.
In their later years, Mary was able to reconnect with her sister Muriel. Mary was as able to enjoy meeting her sisters family at Muriel's 50th Wedding Anniversary party in 1992. Doreen said that her mother beamed with happiness for weeks after. Sidney and his wife Ellen visited Mary and Les in 1995. Muriel was able to join them for a lovely visit. This would have been Muriel's first reunion with her brother since the 1924 adoptions.
On the 26th of October 1996 Mary lost her husband Les. Sadly, Mary would live only seven weeks longer then Les. She died on the 12th of December 1996. The couple is buried together in the Goodwood Cemetery, Ralph only a few feet away.
Mary married Les Mitchell in Goodwood, Ontario on March 7th 1941. Her sister Gwen would sing at her wedding and brother Ralph was the best man. The couple resided on Concession 2 Uxbridge, Ontario and there raised two daughters, Carol and Doreen. Mary and Les retired in 1971 and moved to Goodwood.
During WW2 Mary staying in contact with Sidney and Ralph who were both serving in the war. She was on hand in Toronto to greet Sidney when he returned. Ralph and Gwen were also there. Ralph had returned from war before Sidney. The siblings were able to spend a week together before Sidney headed back out to McCord. Mary and Les were able to travel west several times to visit the family there. In about 1972 Rupert came to live in Ontario. Mary had helped him settle and gave him a place to stay while he looked for work.
In their later years, Mary was able to reconnect with her sister Muriel. Mary was as able to enjoy meeting her sisters family at Muriel's 50th Wedding Anniversary party in 1992. Doreen said that her mother beamed with happiness for weeks after. Sidney and his wife Ellen visited Mary and Les in 1995. Muriel was able to join them for a lovely visit. This would have been Muriel's first reunion with her brother since the 1924 adoptions.
On the 26th of October 1996 Mary lost her husband Les. Sadly, Mary would live only seven weeks longer then Les. She died on the 12th of December 1996. The couple is buried together in the Goodwood Cemetery, Ralph only a few feet away.
1944 Mary with her baby Carol and Gwen on the right
|
Mary and her mother Annie reunited in Saskatchewan
|
1963 Visit to Saskatchewan
From left: Rupert (half brother to Mary), Les (Mary's husband), Annie, Mary, Ellen (sister in law, wife of Sidney), Sidney, Doreen (Mary's daughter, Archie
Grandchildren on ground
From left: Rupert (half brother to Mary), Les (Mary's husband), Annie, Mary, Ellen (sister in law, wife of Sidney), Sidney, Doreen (Mary's daughter, Archie
Grandchildren on ground
Mary's grave in the Goodwood Cemetery, just a few feet away is Ralph's grave
