Louise Cooney

Louise Cooney April 20, 1916 - October 11, 2010 Louise Eichman was born to German immigrant parents in Ashton, Iowa in 1916. She married Jack Cooney, farmer and son of Irish immigrants in 1936 in Mitchell, South Dakota. During the Depression, they packed a car with all their belongings and headed for a new life in California. Louise liked to tell the story that when they arrived in Los Angeles, they hit the street looking for work. By the end of the day, they both had a job covering seats at Sears - Jack upholstering car seats and Louise selling pants in the men's department. Louise was equal parts common sense and sense of humor. Most of all, she was the biggest heart any family could have at its center. Her life was devoted to her children, and her beloved grandchildren. With Jack, they were inspiring role models encouraging us all to work hard with honor and get a college education. Louise took care of her mother, Nettie, lost in dementia, for many years. After her mother died, she volunteered countless hours at Lakewood Regional Medical Center, staffing the Information Desk, receiving numerous awards from the hospital for her dedication and skill. No Luddite she, Louise conquered using a computer in her late 70s. Louise was a full time wife and mother who was the cornerstone of our home creating a warm and comfortable refuge and teaching her children and grandchildren how to do the same for their families. Louise was full of energy, never truly sitting still. In those moments when she did sit, her hands were busy knitting. We dubbed her beautiful suits "St. Louise Knits" with a nod to fashion designer "St. John". Gardening was another passion and no plant would dare challenge her authority over its well being. Every holiday was spent at Mom and Dad's house in Lakewood where the food was fabulous and the laughter non-stop. Jack died in 1997 and Louise continued to love and support her family until it was our turn to care for her. Every inch a lady, Louise was remarkably skilled in the quiet grace of living a great life day by day. Louise is survived by her loving caregiver and son, Daniel, her daughter Patricia (William, Jr.) Crawford, grandchildren Amy (Brian) Ray and Bill Crawford III (Christy) and four beautiful great-grandchildren, Sidney, Charles, Katelyn and Madeline. Services are private; donations in Louise's name may be made to Lakewood Regional Medical Center or the Alpenglow Hospice. Please sign the guest book at www.presstelegram.com/obits.