Obituary of Patricia Ann Cooney

Patricia Ann “Pat” Cooney, age 71, and lifelong Durand resident, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at the Durand Senior Care and Rehab Center.  Pat had been in failing health for some time.

Pat was born March 27, 1953 in the Durand Hospital to William “Edd” and Helen (Kunkel) Cooney.  She joined brother, Mike, at the address that she has resided at for most of her life, on “Cooney Hill”.  Her early life was spent on the four acre “farm” with parents, brother, grandma and grandpa Cooney, and frequent visits from aunts, uncles, and MANY cousins.  Winter sledding on the hill around the house, treks to the creek and woods, trying to outsmart Huff”s horses as she and cousins raced across the field before they saw them, and helping to sell grandma Cooney’s apples, cider and Christmas trees (more playing than selling!).  Education began at Lovejoy School, where ALL the Cooney family attended.

1972 sent Pat, the Railroader like most all of her family, from high school into the world.  She first spent time as a lumber jack around the Lake City Christmas tree farms.  Work in several different factories followed.  Pat went on to get an Associates Degree from Lansing Community College in Building Trades receiving a residential builder’s license.  She used that to become an energy auditor for Consumers Energy.  Pat’s seven years in housekeeping at MSU prepared her to become the head custodian at Robert Kerr Elementary in Durand her last three years of employment.  Dermatomyositis was diagnosed in 2010 and ended her working life.  Cancer took her life.

She loved her little dogs, especially Chaps and Lil’ Bit.  Her last years were made happy with the family of Sworthwoods next door.  Alex and Kayley loved Pat and Lil’ Bit and brought some fun with children back into her life.  Ryan, Nadine, Jim, and Lisa helped Pat with so much.  High School buddies Rich Taylor and Sue (Ward) Conklin were lovingly at her side until the end.  There were many others who loved and cared for Pat throughout her life, also.

Pat leaves, to cherish her memory, brother, Michael Cooney and wife Janice (Sedlak), niece Erin (Cooney) Schmuhl and husband, Carl of Prosper, Texas.  Nephew Andrew Cooney and wife Emily Jones of Howell, Michigan.  Grand-niece Madelyn Schmuhl and grand-nephew Michael Schmuhl, both of Prosper, Texas.  The Cooney family was large, with eleven children and fortynine grandchildren, and Pat enjoyed and loved them all! 

A celebration of Pat’s life will be Sunday, September 15, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 700 Columbia Drive in Durand from 1 – 3 pm.  Come join family and friends to remember Pat. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.