In Memory of Ellen L. Cooley

Obituary

Ellen L. Cooley, 79, died after a brief illness on October 6, 2023.

Born Ellen Lacey Hogan on June 3, 1944, she was raised and lived in New Hartford, NY for most of her life. The daughter of Fred and Alice Hogan, Ellen grew up on Merritt Place, the youngest of five siblings which included Marty Hogan, Sheila Hogan Roselli, Richard Hogan and Terry Hogan, who too have passed. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Judy Hogan of Clinton, NY, as well as many nieces and nephews.

It is here she put her roots, making dear life-long friends with Mary and Marian. Ellen attended and graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes in 1962. Ellen met, fell for, and married Raymond Cooley on July 3, 1965. Together, they would raise their four children less than a mile from the home where she grew up in New Hartford.

While raising her family, Ellen helped her husband build Pioneer Medical Supply, where she also worked while her children were in school. She was Ray’s greatest advocate and friend, supporting his career and actively campaigning on his behalf as he ran for public office.

Yet, she had even more to offer, so she began taking classes at MVCC and then later Syracuse University, where she proudly earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Social Work degrees in 1990 and 1991, respectively.

As a gerontologist and licensed clinical social worker (CSW), Ellen went on to serve the Mohawk Valley community in various roles – her most cherished was working alongside her friends on the MVPC Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. Work alone wasn’t enough, so Ellen also taught classes, volunteered with Hospice, and gave back to the community wherever she could.

After retiring, Ellen didn’t sit still. In addition to traveling and visiting with her family and friends, she was an avid gardener; loved making and donating quilts and blankets to children in need through the Linus Project; and spent quality time with her family. She leaves behind Christopher Cooley and his partner Amy Lamberto of New Hartford, NY; Jennifer and David Travis of Fort Myers Beach, FL; Patrick and Ellen Jean Cooley of Watertown, MA; and Brian and Jessica Cooley of Utica, NY. She loved her grandchildren, Jack Travis of Los Angeles; Dylan Travis of Orlando; Will Travis of Fort Myers Beach; Jayden Cooley of Utica; and the newest addition to the family who brought her so much joy over the past year, Evelyn Cooley of Utica. And let’s not forget Teddy, her beloved dog.

Her family would like to extend their appreciation to her dear friend Aranka Williams and to Ken Duda, who helped her around the house and with Teddy over the years. And to the friends and neighbors who helped clear a driveway, take her to lunch, and to doctors’ appointments on occasions.

Though she leaves us a little empty in her loss, our hearts are fuller because she was in our lives. In lieu of flowers, please donate directly or to a local chapter of the Linus Project.

Calling hours are on Thursday from 4-6 PM at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. A funeral service will follow at 6 PM. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Crown Hill Memorial Park.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com