Mrs. Paula Kerr Cooney

Paula Claire (Kerr) Cooney, 83, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully on June 5th, 2021 after struggling with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born January 12th, 1938 to Herbert and Claire (Newhouse) Kerr in W. Virginia, and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. After attending the University of Delaware, she met and married Thomas G. Cooney in Miami, Florida in 1961. Paula and Tom resided for forty years in South Miami where they raised their two children. Paula was a ray of sunshine to all she met. She was a social and caring person who volunteered her time to a variety of organizations throughout Miami. She was a longtime member of the Theatre Arts League, raising funds for drama students at the local Miami Universities; as well as a highly involved member of the Patrons of Museum of Science (now named the Frost Science Museum). In 1988, she spent a month travelling throughout China with the Arts and Artist Tour and affectionately referred to it as the "trip of a lifetime". In 2001, she moved from Miami to a historic home in Sanford, Florida where she lived for five years. Paula loved helping people and was happily employed at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport in Customer Service. In 2005, she relocated to Sun City, Texas to be near her first grandchild while her daughter's family was stationed at nearby Fort Hood Army Base. She was very involved in the local community to include the Book Club, Wine Club, and Hooking Club (laughingly called "The Hookers"). For twenty-five years, Paula lovingly created hand-made quilts which she donated to newborns and mothers in-need through organizations in Florida, Texas and Washington State (estimated 200+ quilts). Paula spent her final years in a retirement community in Washington State to be near both of her grandchildren. She is survived by son, David Cooney of Miami, Florida; daughter, Linda (Richard) Ince of Maple Valley, Washington; sister, Leslie Kerr-Amerson of Lake City, Florida; and grandchildren Reagan and Ryan Ince. Paula requested no services be held and her remains be donated for medical research. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Paula's name to Sierra Club Foundation, https://www.sierraclub.org/giving/commemorative-gifts