Born in
Dannevirke on 16 August 1943, she received her primary school education at
Ormondville before moving to
Maharahara West, and then attended
Dannevirke High School, where she was
prefect. In 1964 she graduated with a teaching diploma from
Palmerston North Teachers' College. On a trip to Asia she met John Koopman; they married in 1968 and went on to have two children. Her thesis was entitled
Role consensus and job satisfaction in the educational organization. == Honours and awards ==