Carol Wells Cooney was born on February 10, 1912, in Rochester, NY to Stephen Clark Wells and Mary Louise (Daisy) Salyerds. She passed away on December 13, 2014, in Choteau, MT, surrounded by family, and friends.
Carol met her husband Bob at a skating rink while in college at the University of Montana. She married Robert F. Cooney (Bob), June 3, 1935, the day she graduated. They were married for seventy-one wonderful years, and had three beautiful children, Robert T. (Ted) Cooney, Carol Kathleen (Kay) Peterson, and Jean Cooney Roberts.
During their early years of marriage, Carol and Bob spent time in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, together. Bob was later appointed the first Chief of Big Game Management for the state, a job that frequently took Bob way from home. Meanwhile, Carol kept busy raising three children, caring for her aging parents, and pursuing her own career as a full-time physical education teacher at the State Vocational School for Girls in Helena.
Carol was an energetic, happy, and caring person, who enjoyed swimming, fishing, hiking, golf, hunting, and her family. She was active in the Methodist Church, and a member of the Orr Fino Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Carol was an avid historian, and researched her family’s history centuries back to France and England. In her retirement, Carol was know to swim a quarter mile three times a week, at the Broadwater Athletic Club, where Bob and her were long time members.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband Robert F. Cooney (2007), and three children, Carol Kathleen (Kay) Peterson (1969), Jean Cooney Roberts (2012) , and Robert T. Cooney (2013). Carol is survived by her daughter-in-law, Jacquelyn King Cooney, her six grandchildren, Mike (Iva) Cooney, Kurt Cooney, Kimberly Cooney, Laurie (Bill) Peterson Newton, Tom (Jan) Peterson, and Cory (Scott) Eisenberg. She has nine great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Bill Miles says
Carol Wells (Cooney was my sister Sara’s room mate at the University in Missoula.
Sara introduced Carol to our great family friend, BOB COONEY. !!
There were four families that built a cabin in Beaver Creek. now long gone. There were twelve of us kids, I was the youngest that spent much time together in the 1930’s, and kept in contact these many years. Van Sheriff was one of them. He passed away last month at age 97. I am 92. Of my four sons, Loren had a great affection for Bob Cooney, with the same kind of life of the great outdoors they enjoyed.. Carol was admired by all of us.
Fanny Y , (Cory) Cooney, Carol’s Mother-in-law, wrote a daily comic strip that was printed in many newspapers in the USA. Many of those daily (Sonny Sayings) reflected the antics of the four families kids. I was privileged to know Carol !!
Susan B Gray says
I remember Mrs. Cooney very well. She was the mother of my good friend Kay. When I got married, it was not an approved family affair. Mrs. Cooney visited me in Missoula where my husband was going to school. She gave me a cooking pot that she had been given when she was married. I was so touched that she did that and that she recognized my marriage. I used that pot until, after many years, it wore a hole in the bottom. I always thought of her when I cooked in it. Her entire family was an inspiration. She was a hero of mine.
Alice & Bill Dove says
Our thoughts are with your family on the loss of this remarkable woman.
Alice & Bill Dove says
Our thoughts are with Carol’s family on the loss of such a remarkable woman.
Darlene Gilchrist says
Carol was a wonderful, giving lady. She was inspiration to our Oro Fino Chapter members.
Rest in peace.
Terry W Bass says
Her cookies were excellent. Every time I came to visit as a little person with my grandfather from Butte she would spice my life. Bob Cooney was also a wonderful person. May they both rest in peace..
Elaine Cooper Power says
Jacque – Please know of my sincere sorrow in your loss of Carol. As you know we were neighbors for many years , she was a lovely lady, always friendly and raised a wonderful family!
Do hope all is well with you and yours. God Bless