Anita Jeanne Nottingham

Born on November 5, 1943, in Nevada City, California, Jeanne was the cherished only daughter of Leland and Sybil Cooley, raised alongside her three brothers.

Her life was a beautiful quilt of love, laughter, flowers, music, and above all, an irreplaceable devotion to her family.

Jeanne’s heart was as grand and open as her home. Trained at the Texas A&M Benz School of Floral Design, she turned a natural gift into true artistry, bringing beauty to life's sweetest moments. Having eloped herself, she held a special place in her heart for love stories, leading her to own and operate Lilies and Lace, a successful wedding business in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She was happiest surrounded by fresh blooms and caring for others. When she and Mike moved to Albuquerque, she poured her generous spirit into serving as President of the Board for Casa Angelica in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a loving home for children and young adults with developmental disabilities.

If you knew Jeanne, lovingly called Nini by her grandchildren, you knew her passion for living fully. She adored music of every kind, from Diana Ross and Elton John to Alan Jackson and Yanni, and enjoyed soaking in the energy of live concerts. A fierce supporter of her family, she was always in the stands cheering on her kids, grandkids and their schools, most notably as a devoted, long-time season ticket holder for her beloved TCU Horned Frogs. Game day was never complete without her signature gold horned frog necklace.

Her soul belonged to the mountains of Colorado, where she visited often. Nothing brought her a simpler, purer joy than golden aspen leaves in the autumn and watching snow fall in winter, curled up by the fireplace, wrapped in warmth, with a radiant smile on her face as the snowflakes blanketed the earth.

Christmas and the holiday season were Nini’s favorite. She believed in grand gestures of love, once bringing home a Christmas tree so towering and wide it required removing the front door from its hinges just to fit inside. Her home was an open sanctuary where no one was a stranger; she hosted family reunions and gatherings with extraordinary generosity, welcoming everyone with an open heart and open arms.

Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 65 years, Mike, who passed just five months prior and whom she missed with every breath. There is profound comfort in knowing they are reunited at last.

Her enduring spirit lives on through her three children: Pamela and husband Kenneth, Paula, Christopher and wife Andrea. The absolute light of her life were her grandchildren: Matthew and husband Ryan, Willow (Elizabeth), Michael, Jonathan, Emily, and Taryn. She also leaves behind many dear friends who felt like family, including Virginia and Jane.

A service to honor and celebrate Jeanne's extraordinary life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 21st, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, followed by a graveside burial at Lonesome Dove Cemetery in Southlake, Texas.

Jeanne, Momma, Nini held enormous capacity for unconditional love that changed the lives of everyone lucky enough to know her. She was a beautiful soul who is deeply loved, is wildly missed, and will forever be remembered in every snowfall, every bloom, and every song.