Cooney Simon

Cooney (Marion) Simon died on Monday, December 15, 2014, in Kaukauna, surrounded by family. When Cooney's aorta began to split, the doctor said that she couldn't believe Cooney was still talking. “You don't know Cooney,” we said. “She's always talking.” And it was the truth: Cooney was always talking. She was famous for it. From daily updates to and from each of her nine children and her grandchildren, to long, partially-fabricated tales about just how things used to be. It was exhausting and endearing. For Cooney, if she wasn't telling a story–true or otherwise–she wasn't living.

And Cooney lived large. Her most remarkable stories, though, weren't about hijinks (well, at least they weren't all about hijinks). The best Cooney stories were those that displayed her endless generosity. Of all the elements that made Cooney who she was, the most noteworthy of all was just how much she gave. Cooney was known for overloaded car rides to 24-hour kitchen service for broken families, Priest, Nuns, and many diversified neighbors. Cooney was the epitome of “pass it on.”

Cooney gave to everyone and everything she could. She was generous beyond measure. She couldn't help it. She gave to her children, doted on her grandchildren, and was a loving and thoughtful friend. She gave–hand over fist–to every community she was a part of. She spent her life volunteering. She worked the pantry at Loaves and Fishes, the back room at St. Vincent De Paul, spent three decades as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, taught gym with Ivol Voet for thirteen years at St. Mary's Grade School for free, taught CCD for special education students and numerous other activities.

Cooney lived a good life. She spent her days surrounded by family, friends, and devoting her life to something larger than herself. It's hard to imagine a life better. It's hard to imagine that people like Cooney will ever die. She was an institution, and she will be missed tremendously.

Cooney was preceded in death by her husband George, whom she married on August 28, 1948, and who is waiting in Heaven with a Rye Whiskey and Water with three olives. She is survived by nine loving children and an army of grand and great-grandchildren and her sister Mary Therese (Larry) Harris: Ted (Lori) Simon; Jane (Kathy) Simon; Nancy (Larry) Holschuh: children Larry (Dana), Annie, Joe (Meghan), Jillian; George (Barb) Simon: child Amy (Andy) Fryman; Betty (Paul) Wochinski: children Abby (Alex) Rothstein, Paul (Meg), Morgan; Rose (Mark) Kazik: children Kristy, Kurt (Emily), Andrew, Alex; Paul (Kelly) Simon: children Nikki (Josh) Sadler, Samantha, Matt; Mark (Amy) Simon: children Austin, Ryan; Donna (Kurt) Jacobson: children Hannah, Haley, Hattie; eight great grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Theresa (Ivol) Van DenHeuvel.

She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Daniel; and her four other siblings, Sister Alanna Cooney, JoAnn (Les) Hartkemeyer, Richard (Joan) Cooney and Edwin (Janet) Cooney. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The Funeral Liturgy will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at ST. KATHERINE DREXEL CATHOLIC CHURCH—ST. MARY SITE, 119 West Seventh Street, Kaukauna, with Fr. Jerry Pastors officiating. Friends may call at ST. KATHERINE DREXEL–ST. MARY CATHOLIC SITE, Kaukauna, on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. (A CHANGE WAS MADE CONCERNING THE LOCATION OF THE VISITATION AFTER THE POST CRESCENT WENT TO PRESS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT INDICATING THE VISITATION WOULD BE AT THE FUNERAL HOME.) Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Kaukauna. The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Primrose Lane at St. Paul Home for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to benefit Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul; and the George and Cooney Simon Family Fund. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com