Coopers Brewery family matriach dies aged 88

The renowned South Australian Cooper family today announced they were “deeply saddened” to share the news of Jo Cooper’s death.

Josephine Helen Cooper AM passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, aged 88, following a brief illness. Cooper was described as a highly respected philanthropist who dedicated much of her life to serving the community and her family.

In an announcement today, the family said Jo Cooper was born in 1936 in Norwood, then married William (Bill) Cooper in 1955 at age 19. The family said it was not the smoothest start to a relationship.

“On their first date, Bill entered Jo into a beauty contest without her knowledge,” the announcement said. The family added that Bill Cooper remained immensely proud of Jo Cooper until his death in 2015.

Jo and Bill Cooper began married life on a dairy farm in Mount Compass, where she helped him break in the new cattle. At Mount Compass, Jo Cooper gave birth to her son, long-time chief of Coopers Brewery Timothy and her daughter, Verity. The family returned to Adelaide, and Jo Cooper gave birth to two more children, Melanie and Matthew.

“Bill had commenced work in the family brewery by then and would later become Managing Director, a position he held from 1977 to 2002. Jo loved being part of Coopers Brewery and was a constant and reliable support to Bill,” the statement said.

“A dedicated lifelong ambassador for the family company, she was affectionately known as “Mrs Jo” amongst Coopers Brewery’s employees and continued to attend staff Christmas dinners long after Bill’s passing”.

Jo Cooper was involved with the Coopers Foundation, the Brewery’s charitable arm, since its inception in 2006 and served as its Patron from 2015. The Foundation has raised and donated more than $8.7 million to charities across Australia, with Jo and Bill Cooper personally donating well over $1 million.

“Jo was always very proud of the Foundation and a constant source of inspiration and encouragement for its work,” the statement said.

She was also a benefactor of more than 100 charities, including St John’s Youth Service, St John Anglican Church, the Neurosurgical Research Foundation, the Burnside Hospital Foundation, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Jo was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 for services to the philanthropic sector and to the Anglican Church of Australia.

A significant contributor to the Norwood Redlegs and an avid Adelaide Crows fan, “Jo lived life to the fullest”.

“Right until her passing, Jo enjoyed a Coopers Best Extra Stout every evening, and started each weekend sharing a bottle of champagne with her daughters, Verity and Melanie,” her family said.

Jo Cooper is survived by her children Timothy, Verity and Melanie, ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“She said her family was her greatest joy. Jo will be sorely missed by all who knew her.”