Marie Johnson Cooley

MARIE JOHNSON COOLEY

Marie Johnson Cooley passed away on Sunday, December 2. She was residing in a Chico care home at the time of her death, where she succumbed to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Marie was born on July 6, 1930, in Willows, California, to Charles and Grace Johnson. She was raised with four brothers and two sisters, and preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Joe, Chuck and Bob, and her sister Opal Her sister, Marge Kelly, resides in Orland. Her brother Bruce, is a resident of an Alzheimer's care home in Stockton, California.

She is survived by her daughter Kathleen Furtado of Willows, her son Daniel Cooley of Sacramento; her grandchildren Kristine Scalvini of Willows, Robert Boelman of Sacramento, Jason Cooley of New York, and Adam Cooley of Sacramento; and her great-grandchildren, Kyler, Jordyn, and Tanner Scalvini of Willows; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Marie lived all her life in willows where she attended elementary school and graduated high school with the class of 1948. She married twice; to Robert Smith in 1949 and later to James Cooley. Marie was a working single mother for most of her adult life, and during her life held positions at the Alta Dairy, Bank of American, Production Credit Union, Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, Ticor Title (North State Title, Comet Rice, and Glenn County Public Works. She formally retired in 1995.

Marie was a life-longer member of The First Baptist Church in Willows, where she was a member of the choir, held various church offices including Worship Committee Chairman, and was always a cheerful and happy presence every Sunday. She was also an active member of the Willows Alumni Association to which she devoted much of her time and effort. For many years, Marie was involved in the Willows Lamb Derby, and was frequently a volunteer at the voting precinct on Election Day.

Marie will be profoundly missed by all those who loved her, both family and friends, and will forever be remembered as the treasure she truly was.

Visitation will be Thursday, 1-5 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. at F.D. Sweet and Son Mortuary.

Services will be held at The first Baptist Church of Willows on Friday, December 7 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, The Willows Alumni Association, or The First Baptist Church Memorial fund c/o F.D. Sweet and Son Mortuary.