Honouring Evelyn Cooper

Evelyn Cooper, nee Fearby

30 June 1935 - 19 March 2026

It is with much sadness that Project Tongariro staff, executive board, and founding members honour the passing of Evelyn Cooper. 

Evelyn was involved from the beginnings of the Tongariro Natural History Society (TNHS). Her husband, Bill Cooper was one of the park staff killed in the helicopter accident in 1982, a tragic accident that put in motion the founding of the TNHS two years later.

Evelyn contributed to the TNHS, and later Project Tongariro (PT), in many practical ways. She was a keen tramper with more than an amateur interest in native flora, and she operated a sighting system for native plants and birds for decades. We were delighted that Evelyn was able to attend the formalities of our 40-year AGM in 2024. She will be much missed.

A longer article about Evelyn, authored by Karen Grimwade, will be published in the 2026 Tongariro Journal later this year.