Sylvia Mathilda Cooney

It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Sylvia Mathilda Cooney (nee Allen), 96 of Prince George, BC on Sunday, October 22, 2023 after a very short hospital stay. Sylvia was born in Edmonton, AB on July 8, 1927 and moved to Vancouver in 1945 where she met her future husband Albert W. (Bud) Cooney. In 1961 Sylvia was offered a job in Prince George which she gladly accepted, and the newly married couple headed north. Sylvia worked for electrical contractor EB Horsman & Son and later Hub City Motors until Bud co-founded Payless Surplus Supplies where she joined him in business to become their full-time bookkeeper. They worked together until the mid 80s when the business was sold. At 56 Sylvia went to work for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as a bank teller. She loved her job so much she remained working until the age of 75.

Sylvia and Bud loved living in Prince George. Together, they had a rich social life and were very involved in the community. They were members of the Prince George Golf and Curling Club where they created many wonderful friendships. Sylvia volunteered for the Prince George White Cane Club for 40 years, the Good Cheer Club for 20 years, as well as the Prince George Community Foundation. She also was a volunteer Grandma reading to children, who she adored, at the Prince George library. Sylvia always loved to go for lunch with her friends and enjoyed attending Theatre North West events regularly. Sylvia and Bud also had a cabin at Stuart Lake they used year round and where they had many wonderful memories with dear friends. Sylvia enjoyed watching Sunday sports on TV, especially golf and football and she was an excellent cook and hostess to many events and social gatherings.

Sylvia was predeceased by her husband Bud Cooney in 2002 as well as her younger brother James Allen and half-sister Elizabeth Allen. She is survived by her sister Pat Collicutt, her half-brother John Allen, step-daughters Lynn Sanders (Wayne) and Pat Cooney and granddaughters Kate Hamilton (Brian) and Nell Lealess (Aaron) and great grandsons James, Lincoln, Campbell and Collin. She was dearly loved and is missed by her nieces Diana Collicutt (Sean) and Lisa Collison (Trent) and their children Neave, Aidan and Sarah and her nephew Rick Allen (Joanne) and his children Darci and Nicholas and their families, as well as other relatives across Canada and in the U.K. Sylvia was also beloved by her good friends Samantha (Justin), Gloria and grandsons Max and Felix.

In Sylvia’s final years she was a resident of Rainbow Lodge and was very happy there. Not one to stay in her room, you would always find Sylvia socializing in the lounge with the other residents and warmly greeting visitors with a big smile. During our family visits and group outings, she was always keen and never wanted to miss the opportunity to go and explore or do lunch! The family wishes to thank the Rainbow Lodge nursing staff for their care of Sylvia in her final years.

A memorial service will take place in 2024 with more information to follow. Those who wish may donate to the Prince George Community Foundation Bud and Sylvia Cooney Memorial Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.assmansfuneralchapel.com for the Cooney family.