Anne is welcomed into heaven by her parents, Thomas and Theresa Cooney and several dear friends, relatives, and pets, including her recently-departed sheltie, Sadie. Anne is survived by her loving siblings: Thomas Michael (Lorrie) Cooney, Kathleen (Frank) Dougherty, Mary (David) Reynolds, and James (Cathy) Cooney. Anne was the designated Aunt of the extended Cooney family, a role that she delivered with unmatchable joy, indulgence and enthusiasm. She is deeply and forever missed by her numerous nieces and nephews. In her last 14 years Anne earned the all-too-fitting title of Great Aunt to many adored grandnieces and -nephews. Anne also leaves behind many friends, neighbors and colleagues, all of whom will remember her generous spirit and loving heart.
Anne grew up as the middle of five Cooney siblings in Allegany, NY and attended Saint Bonaventure School. Her soul was stirred by the wonders of nature, and she was the champion of every family dog. Her fondest childhood wish was to have her own horse and she imagined that one year on her birthday she would go outside to find one. As a teenager at Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, NY, Anne was a cheerleader with an active and happy social life and an unwavering loyalty to the Beatles. As a young woman, Anne realized her dream of owning a horse, BoJack. In the 1980s, Anne put on her best shoulder pads and floppy neck-bow and went to work as a stockbroker at E.F. Hutton in Rochester, NY. During these years she enjoyed frequent travel; favorite trips included Ecuador, Chiapas, London, and Ireland, where she traveled with her father.
Anne spent several years of her 40s in a sort of early retirement: floating in the pool that she so generously shared with all of her loved ones, cultivating flower gardens in her idyllic home in the rolling hills of Perinton (where, one birthday, she looked out her window to discover that a horse had jumped the fence into her yard), creating art, and reading and writing every day. Anne often remarked that she was so glad that she took time out of her career while she was young enough to enjoy it. During this time, Anne found a spiritual community in Corpus Christi Church, later Spiritus Christi. The remaining decades of Anne’s life were devoted to seeking God wherever she could -- in spiritual writings, in nature, in the life of her beloved St. Francis, and in connection with fellow humans. In later years, Anne discovered her calling in advocating for elders and clients with disabilities. She saw the face of God in every person that she met, and had a special way of letting people know it.
Anne has been reunited with her loved ones and ancestors, and is surrounded by the flowers of gardens she grew in years past; if there is any justice, she has already met her favorite Beatle, George Harrison. After the loss of her parents, Anne took comfort in the belief that after death, we know all things. Standing in the presence of her God, Anne can understand the magnitude of how loved she is and how much love she put into the world.
Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, June 17th from 5-7PM at the Funeral Home of ALVAH HALLORAN & SON, 2125 Chili Ave., Rochester, NY 14624. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, June 18th, at the Spiritus Christi Church, 121 Fitzhugh St. N, Rochester, NY 14614. Masks are required for anyone in attendance. Burial will take place in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany, NY at a later date.
Donations may be made in her memory to Villa of Hope at www.villaofhope.org/donate or to Spiritus Christi Ministries at www.spirituschristi.org/giving/
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