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Barbara Sweeney Obituary

Barbara Marion Sweeney, born Barbara M. Cooper, died of natural causes at the age of 95 on July 28, 2020, in Phoenix, AZ. She was born on October 23, 1924, to Emerson Skerritt Cooper and Marion Rita Parker. Barbara married Joseph Modeste "Pat" Sweeney whom she loved dearly for the 55 years of their marriage, a love that endured even after he passed away at the age of 80 in December 2000. Barbara is survived by five children from her union with Pat: Marly L. Sweeney (Greg Thompson) of New Orleans, LA, Anne-Marie Sweeney (Marcus) of Ocean Springs, MS, Pamela Thompson (Stewart) of Davis, CA, Jacqueline Sarlo (Michael) of Phoenix, AZ and Patrick J. Sweeney (Lynn) of Palo Alto, CA. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Cooper and Stephanie Thompson, Alex and Sam Sarlo, and Emersen Sweeney. Barbara has one surviving younger sister, Susan Cooper Zalcstein. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Pat Sweeney, a brother, Emerson Cooper, and a sister, Constance Gay Bowen. Barbara was dedicated to supporting her husband and his successful law career (US diplomate, NYU Law Professor, Dean of Tulane Law School, and Hastings Law Professor) which brought them to several cities in the US as well as repeated stints in France. These professional assignments allowed Pat and Barbara to introduce their children to a fascinating and adventurous life. Barbara strongly encouraged independence, good manners, worldliness, curiosity, fortitude, fiscal responsibility, and community-mindedness in all her children. Yet most important of all was that each child had an excellent education. She taught them many adaptive skills, sharing her talents as an exquisite cook, seamstress, adventuresome organizer, and supporter of the many activities of her five children. She loved her children and grandchildren fiercely and took great pride in their many accomplishments. She seemed satisfied that her most important goals were accomplished, and she was able to dedicate her empty nest years to projects such as contributing to the Tulane Cookbook, the Tulane Wives Volunteer Association, and serving as a volunteer librarian at the Louise S. McGehee School. This strong and capable woman was determined, private, and proud, lovingly earning the nickname "Sparky" to honor her spirit. She ended her days at La Siena in Phoenix, where she had many friends.

Published by The Times-Picayune from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9, 2020.
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