…active Tewksbury senior; 80
TEWKSBURY - Catherine T. “Cathy” (Downes) Cooney, age 80, died peacefully, surround by her children, Thursday morning, January 11, at Lowell General, after a courageous three month battle with multiple health issues. She was the beloved wife of James F. Cooney Sr., who died in 2011.
She was born in Lowell in May, 1937, to John F. and Elizabeth (Torpey) Downes, and was raised in Lowell. She graduated from Lowell High School and went on to earn her Licensed Practical Nurse certification from Tewksbury Hospital’s School of Nursing. She worked at Tewksbury Hospital, where she met the love of her life and future husband “Jimmy” Cooney. After the arrival of their children Cathy devoted her life to her family as a dedicated wife and mother.
Later in life she was a doting Grandmother and Great Grandmother and became an active member of the Senior Community. Cathy and her husband Jim were daily visitors to the Tewksbury Senior Center. She loved to travel with the Seniors, and eagerly anticipated the “trip,” wherever it would be. She was a member and served as Co-Chair for the entertainment committee of the Golden Age Club, and a member of the Red Hatters. Cathy was well known throughout the area for her love of Bingo. In recent years she enjoyed winter in Florida with friends and family. In Florida she was also active in the senior community and enjoyed trips to the casino with her family.
She leaves three beloved children, Patricia A. “Tricia” Brenden and her husband Alan of Tewksbury and Dania, FL, James F. Cooney Jr. and his wife Laurie (Goodrich) of Tewksbury, and John T. Cooney and his wife Wendy (Ritter) of Derry, NH; four grandchildren, Adam Brenden and his wife Melissa (Senior) of Westford, Stacy Cooney of Derry, NH and her fiancé William Mayers of Amherst, NH, Michael Cooney of Derry, and Kristofer Cooney and his wife Ruby of Littlestown, PA; two adored great grandchildren, Emily and Molly Brenden; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Martha and William Feran of Tewksbury, Thomas and Susan (Lamoreaux) Cooney of Tewksbury, Peter and June (Richter) Cooney of Dighton, MA; and many dear cousins, who were as close as siblings during her entire life. She also leaves many dear nieces and nephews and her cherished cats.
Visiting hours Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 4:00 until 7:00 in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. Her funeral will begin Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 9:00 from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Burial will follow in Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Friends of the Elderly, c/o Linda Braybant, Tewksbury Senior Center, 172 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated. visit: tewksburyfuneralhome.com