Mary Louise Allen Cooley

MARY LOUISE ALLEN COOLEY (Mrs. Charles Edward Cooley) passed away Thursday, December 6, 2007 after a brief illness. A third generation Austinite, Mrs. Cooley was born on January 24, 1915 to William Thomas Allen, Jr. and Louise Elizabeth Baumert Allen. Mrs. Cooley was educated in Austin, Texas where she attended Palm Elementary, Allan Junior High School, and graduated from Austin High School in 1932. Following her primary education, Mrs. Cooley also completed a series of business courses. She married Charles Edward Cooley on August 21, 1938. They built their first and only home in 1939 on Mohle Drive where they raised their four children. Mrs. Cooley was active in her children's activities, as her passion was her family to whom she dedicated her life. In November of 2006, after ninety-one years in Austin, Mrs. Cooley moved to The Hallmark in Houston, Texas to be closer to her family. Mrs. Cooley was deeply involved with the Austin Public Library. From 1966 until 1985, she held the position of Secretary/Treasurer of The Friends of The Austin Public Library and was honored as their “Volunteer of the Year” in 1995. Additionally, she enjoyed countless hours as a volunteer at The Austin History Center. Mrs. Cooley was predeceased by her loving husband in 1993, her parents, her sisters Edna Francis ("Sis") Allen Black, Dorothy Bell Allen Kutalek, and sisters-in-law Lucille Cooley White and Elizabeth Cooley Moore. Mrs. Cooley is survived by her four children: son Charles Allen Cooley and his wife Carol Wilson Cooley of Dallas; and daughters Nancy Louise Cooley Bohannon of Schulenburg; Mary Suzann Cooley Richardson and husband Terry L. Richardson of Houston; and Carol Ann Cooley of Houston. Mrs. Cooley also leaves behind her brother William Thomas Allen, III and wife Berta of Fredericksburg; sister Rachel Allen Callan of Austin; sisters-in-law Grace Cooley Curtis of Rockdale and Alleene Cooley Henson of Bastrop; and brothers-in-law John Maddox Black of Bastrop and Jimmy Kutalek of Austin. She is survived by her seven wonderful grandchildren: Tiffany Gayle Cooley of Denver, Colorado; Jeffrey Brian Mallett and wife Janna Boren Mallett of Houston; Kelly Cooley Schomburg and husband Paul Schomburg of McLean, Virginia; Bradley Cooley Mallett and wife Anna McDonald Mallett of Austin; Blair Allen Richardson of Houston; William Cooley Richardson of Houston; and Katie Allen Mallett of Austin. Finally, Mrs. Cooley was blessed with three great grandchildren: Katelyn Mary Mallett, Brandon Ryan Mallett, and Reed Andy Mallett. Mrs. Cooley was a truly special lady with serene beauty, a dignified manner, and a loving and generous spirit. Her unselfishness and kindness touched the lives of everyone she met, leaving a lasting and positive impression. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to her many friends, as well as the wonderful staff at The Hallmark. They also thank her loving caregivers, Ernestine Dickersen, Delores Moran, Chevette Leach, and Giovanna Arceneaux. Following a private family graveside service, a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10, 2007 at The First United Methodist Church of Austin, located on Lavaca at 12th Street. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to The Mary Allen and Charles Edward Cooley Fund established at The Austin Community Foundation, P.O. Box 5159, Austin, Texas 78763; or to The Friends of The Austin Public Library through the Austin Public Library Foundation, P.O. Box 13201, Austin, Texas 78711 in honor of Mary Allen Cooley. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com