Mary Lou Cooley Phillips

Mary Lou Cooley-Phillips, age 79, went home to be with our Lord unexpectedly on May 27, 2018 at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ due to complications of pneumonia. She was surrounded by her children.

Mary Lou “LuLu” was born on June 21, 1938 in Phoenix, AZ where she was second to the youngest of 10 children. As a 1957 graduate of Phoenix Union High School, LuLu played varsity fast pitched softball, tennis, and basketball. She married Rueben Maldonado, began her career in the finance business; and gave birth to two children. After an accidental death of her husband, she met and married Wayne Cooley and gave birth to two more children before relocating to California in 1966. Mary Lou also continued playing softball…organizing the first Women’s City Softball League in Oxnard CA. In 1970 the young family transferred to Fresno CA for continuance in their line of work with banking. Mary Lou also continued playing softball in the Fresno and Clovis Leagues for a few years until devoting her spare time for her children’s extracurricular activities.

Mary Lou began working in the accounting and credit department for GMAC which continued for 11 years. She became an avid snow skier, enjoyed river rafting, yard- work, deep sea fishing, and entertaining guests for the holidays with her love for cooking.

From 1982-1991 as a single parent, she became involved in the family sponsored foreign exchange program with The International English Institute (Fresno State University); accommodating over 45 students coming and going every 3 months…while learning from each individual experience, she developed a special bond with her student, Yuko, from Japan.

From 1993-1997 Mary Lou began working for Browning Ferris as a credit manager, which allowed her to transfer location back to her home town of Phoenix: which gave her the opportunity to spend quality-time with her oldest daughter and family. After retirement, Mary Lou became involved in her community organizations, becoming a member of the Young Marines of Mesa. She started a chapter with the Red Hat Ladies calling them the Delightful Divas of Arizona (an organization which brings people together for charitable purposes throughout the Phoenix area). Mary Lou enjoyed her many luncheons with her Red Hat Ladies. She also belonged to the League of Our Own Social Club, and was an honorary member of the East Valley Saguaro League. Her 1950 team uniform and picture was given to the Prescott Women’s Softball Hall of Fame for display.

In 2002 Mary Lou married James Phillips, together they joined The West Valley Chapter of Korean War Veterans Association, attending many gatherings and functions with other veterans and their spouses. Jim and Mary Lou enjoyed traveling abroad, taking various cruises, and several cross country road trips…going from state to state visiting museums and art galleries. Sadly Mary Lou became a widow in 2014, yet that didn’t stop her with her sense of adventure and willingness to help others in need. She became a volunteer at Banner Health where she would read to the patients and loved listening to them tell of their life’s stories. Meanwhile, she moved to Surprise from her many years living in Peoria. Two years ago she took a trip to Australia to visit her niece Melissa and family, then to Japan to visit Yuko and family; and took a European cruise with a high school friend. On many occasions she drove to and from Southern California to visit her oldest son and daughter in-law, always visiting places of interest including their recent tour of the J Paul Getty museum. Mary Lou would also go to Northern CA to spend quality-time with her youngest daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In April of this year Mary Lou took a long awaited trip to Mexico to see the Mayan Ruins with a dear friend. She had always dreamt of that experience, and that is exactly what she set out to do. She returned to tell all with such joy and excitement how much she enjoyed her visit there. Our adventurous mother fulfilled her dream once and for all.

Mary Lou represents a life that is extraordinary and significant, and largely dedicated to others. She was an example of honor, drive, patriotism, and female empowerment. She was a unique and driven soul who cared so much for others that she was willing to give all that was left of her time after raising her children…..to others in need. She was an iconic woman, a heroic soul, and a lady of class that could not and would not be stopped. Mary Lou is and will be greatly missed by many. Preceded in death by parents, Florentino Castillo and Nicanora Rios Castillo, brothers Trinidad, Alvino, Joe, Antonio, and Nick, and sister Lupita Allmon. Survived by her children Anthony Maldonado(Elizabeth Bongiorno) Woodland Hills CA, Yvette Maldonado(Armando Gonzales) Avondale AZ, Jonathan Cooley Seattle WA, and Jennifer Cooley(Gina Antell) Southern OR. Grandchildren Jenaye Elliott(Colter Caldwell) Willits CA, Jason Gonzales Glendale AZ, Alyssa Rodriguez Hollywood CA, Armando Gonzales Jr. Pheonix AZ, Jantz Elliott Dubuque, IA, Michael Gonzales Glendale AZ, James Elliott(Heather) Yreka CA, and Charles Cooley of Oregon. Great grandchildren Jadelyn, Aubrey, and Liam Caldwell and Luke Elliott. Sisters Ramona Navarro, Dolores Martinez and brother Florentino(Jr.) all of Phoenix, and many nieces and nephews. Mary Lou will be laid to rest with her husband James Phillips at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.