Frank James Cooney died peacefully on March 17, 2020 with his beloved wife at his side. At the time of his passing he was a resident of Touchmark in Helena.
Frank was born in Harlowton, the youngest of seven children and the son of John Patrick and Leta Hodgen Cooney on January 22, 1928.
His father owned and operated a livery stable in Butte but longed for the ranching life, so he moved his family first to Ringling and then to Harlowton where he purchased and expanded the Cooney Ranch to a number of counties but primarily in Wheatland and Sweetgrass.
Frank attended grade and high school in Harlowton. Upon graduation Frank worked the family sheep and cattle ranch with a great sense of pride alongside his brothers Jack, Bill, and Bob Cooney.
Frank was especially proud of his ranching heritage and recounted on innumerable occasions wonderful memories of the early days of ranching. As time went on Frank’s focus was overseeing the sheep and wool business end of the ranch while his brothers focused on raising cattle. Frank took great pride in continuing to raise “Rambouillet” sheep, a tradition started by his late father JP Cooney in the early 1900’s.
Frank married the love of his life Mary Ellen Dupuis at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena on June 11, 1971. Frank and Mary Ellen made their home on the Cooney Brothers ranch just south of Harlowton. Their home was built on Sadie Creek with a view like no other of the beautiful snowcapped Crazy Mountains out their living room window. Frank and Mary Ellen have many fond memories of their summers spent in the Little Belt Mountains grazing the sheep near Kings Hill, Neihart and the Moose Park area. After many years of ranching and herding sheep, Frank and Mary Ellen retired and moved to Helena in 1999.
Frank had a large infectious smile and a gentle, kind and giving heart. He loved and treasured many longstanding friendships that he had formed from his early school days in Harlo. Frank also had a lifelong passion for photography and classical music. Frank was a devote practicing Catholic and a long-standing member of the Cathedral of St. Helena Parish.
After enjoying their retirement years in Helena, in 2019 Frank and Mary Ellen moved into an assisted living apartment at Touchmark in Helena. When Frank’s health began to fail, he was moved to the memory care unit at Touchmark where he spent his final days being comforted by his loving wife, family, and the wonderful staff of Touchmark and Hospice.
Frank was a member of both the Montana Woolgrowers and the Montana Stockgrowers Association.
Frank is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Ellen. He is also survived and fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews and his grand-nieces and nephews
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, JP and Leta Cooney, brothers Jack, Bill, and Bob Cooney, and sisters, Katherine Cooney Chandler, Mary Cooney McNamara and Betty Cooney Settle, nephews John Cooney, Ed Settle, and nieces Betsey McNamara War and Betty Chandler.
In lieu of flowers or donations, in Frank’s memory please give yourself in service or donate to those who need it in this time of need, fear, and uncertainty due to the pandemic we are all experiencing.
Services are pending and will be held at a later date.
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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Rachael lee says
-Caring thoughts to you, Mary Ellen. – 🕊
With Love,
Rachael Lee and Family
Mary Kay Bennett says
Oh Mary Ellen, I am so sorry!
George and I would be delighted when we would run into you at a restaurant in Helena. You were both so sweet and loving.
Your friends, Mary Kay & George
Loved our banking days!
Leta Mulligan says
Uncle Frank was such a dear sweet person in all our lives. My mother is probably holding his hand now and they are smiling. Love to you. Leta, John and family
Pat Chandler says
Dear Mary Ellen,
May the peace and comfort of Christ be with you.
God bless you and Frank.
Margaret Haarr Lammers says
Mary Ellen and family…remembering Frank, his smile, and kindness as I spent a summer working on the Cooney Ranch. Wishing you peace and comfort at this time.
Shari Oiestad says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family.John and I remember all the Cooney family with fond memories.
Kari Ceaicovschi says
We are so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Love to all. Kari (Moe) Ceaicovschi
Wil Morse says
My most heartfelt condolences. I was always honored to visit with Frank.
Bobbie Hiner says
Mary Ellen, thinking of you and sending prayers! We always enjoyed both you and Frank and often talk about how good you were to our son Travis and how he enjoyed helping Frank shear and eating the meals and treats Mary Ellen prepared! We have missed you both being a part of our church family!
John Lammers says
Mary Ellen
You are in our thoughts.
Virginia Settle says
Dear Mary Ellen,
Sad news to hear about Uncle Frank. Sad too to lose your life’s mate–no matter the age. Have fond memories of being with the two of you and thank God that you had so many treasured years together. May the Lord’s peace be with you in the coming days. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs.–Virginia Settle
Phylis Shanahan says
I’m very sad, he was a wonderful man, Mary Ellen, hugs from us at the Walmart pharmacy. Phylis 😥
Ed Rana says
Mary Ellen, Sally and I always enjoyed our visits with you and Frank and Sally is full of fond memories of Frank.
We are both praying for him and you.
Charlotte Hall says
I was so sad to hear of Frank’s passing, I have so many great memories of you and Frank and days spent with you at your home and you at ours. Maybe John and Frank are discussing fixing something they did that a lot! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
John Rouane says
The Cooney family is in our prayers. We received many bum lambs from them in the 50’s. I always thought of the times every trip past the mailbox. Bless you all.
Janice Holloway says
Hugs and prayers to all. I remember Frank coming into Dad’s clinic and visiting. I loved listening Frank talk about his sheep.
Sally Rana says
My life is full of sweet memories of both of you. God bless you.