Vada E. Cool

June 29, 1937 - July 31, 2024

On June 29, 1937, Vada Ellen Losh Cool was born a coal miner’s daughter to Opha and Edith Losh in a small rural country town, Webster Springs, in the mountains of West Virginia. The tenth of fourteen children, she grew up during the Great Depression and experienced poverty and hardship. Living off the land, her family milked cows, churned butter, picked berries, and harvested vegetables. Her siblings and she attended a one-room schoolhouse and played in the river together. She grew up dirt poor, but was rich in her love for her family and a strong belief in God. These experiences instilled in Vada the values she passed on to her two boys and their families, Jeffery Sr., his wife Jill, and their two sons Jeffery Jr. and Dylan; and James, his wife Kathleenann, and their children Aedan and Tara. She adored each and every one of her thirteen siblings (Gertrude, Marie, Margaret, Calvin, Carl, Grace, Bud, Wasson, Virginia (Ginny), Fred, Lucy, Ruth, and Carol), their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Those country roads took her home to the place she belonged several times a year to visit at the Losh Family Reunion and also for “Sister Weeks.” They enjoyed staying up late into the night talking, having tea parties (sometimes long distance), and exploring local stores for shopping or antiquing/crafting. They could make anything out of almost nothing! Her sisters were her best friends and not a day passed where she did not talk on the phone to at least one of them! She is survived by Ruth and her husband, Ardings Carpenter, of Rockville, MD and Carol and her husband, David Roosa, of Haverstraw, NY.

In the late 1950s after attending college and working as a Nurse’s Aide in the local hospital, Vada and a friend moved to New York for work at Letchworth Village, in Stony Point, NY, leaving behind the limited opportunities in West Virginia. It was a brave move for a young woman. Several of her sisters soon followed, and Vada met her husband, George Cool, in New York. They married and raised their family in the Village of Haverstraw. When Vada became pregnant with her first son, Jeff, she left her job to become a stay-at-home mom. A few years later, Jim, her second son, was born. After eleven years at home, Vada returned to work in a curtain manufacturing factory. She worked hard to provide for her boys. She stood on her feet for eight hours a day, five days a week for many, many years in a factory with no air conditioning. She would walk to and from work each day and when she got home, she would always make her family some of the best food they ever had. Despite her exhaustion, she cooked, cleaned, and helped her children with schoolwork without ever complaining. They did not have a lot of money or material items, but she made sure they had love.

After her husband George passed away, Vada lived in an apartment in her son Jim’s house in West Haverstraw. She helped raise her grandchildren teaching them how to tie their shoes, ride a bike and getting them on and off the bus each day. Vada loved cooking and gardening. She taught her boys to cook without strict recipes, relying on taste and intuition. Most of her recipes cannot be found in a cookbook, but she had them stored in her brain. No one would be able to replicate her recipes because it was her magic spice - “love” - that made it taste so good. She was still making candy this last Christmas despite only being able to stand for more than a few minutes at a time; but, knowing it was a favorite holiday treat for her boys and grandchildren, she was determined to make sure everyone had their holiday treats.

Her yard bloomed with flowers and plants, some originating from her sisters' gardens in other states, and others transplanted from the wilds of West Virginia and Tennessee. On multiple occasions, she killed some snakes in her garden with the closest object she could find - a rock or shovel - with not a fear in the world. Nothing would mess with her plants! She was our resident gardener, teaching her granddaughter, Tara, and Jim how to care for the plants. Anyone entering the yard always commented on her beautiful display. Even up until a few weeks ago, she was out there overseeing Tara and Jim’s work and giving directions for how things should be done. They have big shoes to fill.

Vada adored animals, treating them like her children. She always had a dog and usually a cat. One of her favorite dogs, Avery, a Boston Terrier, was brought to her by Jeff, Jill, Jeffery Jr., and Dylan. He provided companionship and comfort as she mourned the loss of many siblings. Her latest companion was Freddy, a Yorkie, who kept her company and brought her joy in her last years.

Vada was more than just our mother. She was a loving mother-in-law to Jill (Jeff) and Kathleenann (Jim) and a devoted grandmother to Jeffery Jr., Aedan, Tara, and Dylan. She was proud of her grandchildren and their achievements, and they carry her legacy forward in their lives. She was also fortunate to have many close friends throughout the years as well as neighbors who also became close friends and who she often considered family. She always looked forward to and enjoyed her time with them.

The last few weeks have been some of the toughest days she and her family have endured. The family is thankful to United Hospice of Rockland and our family and friends for all of their support during that time. Even in her final days, despite the amplified suffering, she only expressed discomfort a few times. Throughout the past few years, Vada suffered from various ailments but she was tough as nails and rarely complained. A few nights before she passed, she was delirious with pain and discomfort but she was still able to read the bible for several hours as she did daily. She was the sweetest, most caring, and loving person anyone could have ever known. She worked hard, provided for her children, and taught them the values that shaped their lives. Her simple upbringing developed in her sass, grit, and bravery. These qualities and her devout Christian faith guided her throughout her life. The Good Lord blessed her family with an Angel as Wife, Mother, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother, Sister, and Daughter. They were so lucky to have her for 87 years. We know Jesus and your family are waiting for you at the end of those country roads. Go Rest High on the Mountain Mom, your work on Earth is through.

Vada’s life will be celebrated with visitation and a Memorial Service at the Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home at 321 South Main Street, New City, NY on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 3 - 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made in Vada’s name to one of the following charities: Heaven Can Wait Rescue/Northstar Dogs for Adoption https://heavencanwaitny.org/ , United Hospice of Rockland https://unitedhospiceinc.org/ , or the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation - Firefighter Grants & Training - Home” TO “ Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation - Firefighter Grants & Training https://www.joeydfoundation.org/