Dona Beck Cooley

Dona Beck Cooley
1921 ~ 2013
Cedar City, UT-Dona Aleda Beck Cooley, 92, of Cedar City, UT passed away at home on Tuesday August 27, 2013 due to natural causes. Born in Centerfield, UT on March 19, 1921 to Newman Joseph Beck and Stella Myrup Beck. Married Frank Llewellyn Cooley on August 12, 1952 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Dona was preceded in death by her husband Frank Cooley, parents and brothers Cyril Beck, Weldon Beck, Woodrow Beck, Duane Beck, Garth Beck and Robert Beck. Survived by her sister Ruth Christiansen, son Clair Frank Cooley (Stephanie) and grandchildren Kaitlin, Jaclyn and Dylan Cooley. Dona was a teacher and taught school in Beaver and Cedar City for over 30 years. She graduated from Snow College and Brigham Young University. After graduating from Snow College she moved to Beaver to teach, due to needs brought about because of WWII. After teaching in Beaver she saw the importance of completing her education and attended BYU to get her bachelors' degree. Upon graduating from BYU Dona moved to Cedar City where she taught in the Elementary Schools until her retirement. Dona was a successful teacher and had many requests by parents to teach their children throughout her career. She loved education and was a proud member of the Utah Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and the En Avant Literary Club. Dona was an active member of the LDS Church and served faithfully in many callings over the years. She was also a loyal fan of the Utah Jazz and diligently followed the team. She enjoyed the times that she was able to attend games in person and was thrilled the night that she received a personal phone call from Thurl Bailey. After retirement Frank and Dona were able to travel for a number of years with their friends. She enjoyed those trips and the different places that they visited. Dona loved and supported her family. She loved her grandchildren and she and Frank traveled numerous times to Salt Lake City to attend dance recitals, ball games and school functions. She was proud of their accomplishments and enjoyed talking about them. Dona was an exceptional cook known for her desserts. Her house always had homemade cakes and cookies available. Camping and hunting trips will not be the same without her sweet rolls and raisin filled cookies.
A viewing will be held at the Cedar Second Ward Chapel, 256 South 900 West on Tuesday September 3rd from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment at the Cedar City Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at Iron County Home Health Care for their care and support. They want to especially thank Jannelle Chaffee for the exceptional care and attention given to Dona over the past four years. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com