M. Suzanne Cooley

Marie Suzanne Cooley (McCreary), 86, beloved wife and mother, passed away on May 31, 2016 at Peabody Manor in Appleton, WI. Suzanne was born February 27, 1930, in Monaca, Pennsylvania to the late Dr. Thomas W. and Cecilia McCreary II.

She attended high school at Mount Mercy Academy and, later, Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania where she studied history and chemistry and began dating her future husband, Harold Cooley. Both sang in the acapella choir at Allegheny and enjoyed each other's friendship during their four years in Meadville. After graduating in 1952, she went to work in Washington, DC as a laboratory technician.
She and Harold E. (Bud) Cooley, Jr. exchanged wedding vows on October 24, 1953 a St. Mary's Catholic Church in Monaca, PA — a marriage that would last over 62 years.

The couple moved to Germany in 1953, where they spent three years stationed with the Air Force in both Munich and Frankfurt. During this time, Suzanne volunteered to help needy German families rebuild their lives after the war.

After the war, her faith grew with her devotion to the local Catholic parishes wherever she resided. Suzanne spent much of her adult life involved as a lector, communion minister, and on numerous worship committees. She was an active participant in women's spiritual direction through Carroll College in Waukasha, WI and helped plan in-home retreats with the Racine Dominican Sisters. Her faith was an inspiration to all that surrounded her.

More than anything, Suzanne valued family. As a devoted homemaker, she loved to cook, care for her loved ones, and spend time with family and friends at the family cabin on Connors Lake, Wisconsin. All that knew her treasured her outgoing personality and her generous soul; her friends, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild were blessed to have felt her abundant love and ceaseless affection.

Suzanne is survived by her husband, Harold; her two children; David Cooley (Valerie Schultz), and Suzanne Cooley (David Echelard); her four grandchildren, Daniel Cooley (Nicole), Jesse Cooley, Wenonah Echelard and Hudson Echelard; one great-grandson, Thomas Cooley; Her brothers, Dr. Thomas W. McCreary III (Patricia), Fr. Robert McCreary O.F.M. Capuchin; and her brother-in-law, Dr. Ted McClain.

Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Thomas W. McCreary II and Cecilia Odelia (Wehrle) McCreary; her grandson, Holland Echelard; and her sister, Nancy McClain.

The Funeral Liturgy Mass for Suzanne will be held at St. Joseph Parish presided by her brother, Fr. Robert McCreary, O.F.M. Cap. celebrant and Fr. Jim Leary, O.F.M. Cap. co-celebrant at 10:30 AM, on Monday, June 6, 2016. A visitation for family and friends before the service at St. Joseph Parish between 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Burial will take place in Phillips, WI.

The family would like to thank the nurses of ThedaCare Hospice, the nurses and staff at the Peabody Manor, and Dr. Jack Anderson for their respectful and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to ThedaCare At Home Hospice.