I am so sorry to hear about Mrs Cooley passing.  I worked at  Boulder Dry Cleaners in the 80's And Mr and Mrs Cooley were great customer.  Both were so friendly and loving.   Mr Cooley even brought me a cooper bracelet from India when he was flying.  And she told me all about her diving trips over seas.   She even had me go see Mr Cooley when he was sick in the hospital.  Just to cheer him up.  
 I think of them often and will miss them both.  God Bless Them 

Regina Mazzella Barton

Mary Jo was my dear, dear friend, and I will  always miss her.  I knew her in Boulder and we both volunteered in Israel as underwater divers with the CAHEP (Caesarea Ancient Harbor Expedition Project). 
One memorable driving trip with M.J. and Bill was to the Canyonlands... There was absolutely no ambient light and from our camp site, we marveled at the billions of incredibly bright stars above. 
When I see the stars now, I think of Mary Jo looking down on us and smiling her beautiful smile! 

Kathryn Barth with Bob Hohlfelder, Boulder

Linda, Bobbi, and Billy - your mom was a gem. There is no doubt that my life was richer with her in it. She was class yet could be wickedly funny, she was selfless with no agenda, she gave love freely yet commanded respect without ever having to ask, she was a great listener- I always felt heard as she tuned out and looked me right in the eyes when I was speaking as she held my hands… I loved her beautiful face, her laugh, and she gave the best hugs on the planet! And she always smelled good and she had her own wonderful style. And for quite a few years my daughter thought her name was Mica Josephine Harris Pasquale😆  Your folks helped me be the person I am today. Thanks for sharing them with me, thanks for always inviting me in, and am so sorry for your loss. Mary Jo was a gem. ❤️ So much love, Kenda Koitzsch

I wanted to extend my sincerest of condolences to Linda, Bobbi and Bill, and all of your extended family.  I am forever grateful for the love and support that Bill and Mary Jo shared with me during some difficult/pivotal years, and I have so many great memories and inspiration to carry forward!  Mary Jo had such strength, wisdom and wit - and a very generous spirit and kind heart.  I am so sorry I was not able to make the memorial service, but will be thinking of you all and sending lots of love your way

Mary Jo (and Bill!) were such gifts to our Lake of the Pines community, and to Rusty and I personally as dear friends for many years. We miss them both sorely but treasure their friendship & life wisdom. It's heartwarming to consider them reunited again.

Finally, after a 3-year hiatus, this year we continue to carry the Lake of the Pines New Years Day Soup, Bread & Pie Party, a torch that they passed to Rusty & me circa 2012/2013, with both Bill & Mary Jo providing guidance for our first few years, and Mary Jo of course providing her amazing apple pie every year through our last one in 2019, just before Covid hit. Every year,  one of us in LOP still makes 12-quarts of Bill's 15-bean Vegetarian Chicken Soup (because "Chickens are vegetarians" (which often led to Bill & me sparring on that claim..."But Bill...they are NOT vegetarians...they eat bugs!")

Both had such kind, gentle, fun and funny personas, always with a smile (or smirk/twinkle in the eye.) They both continue to be an inspiration that we'll treasure for years to come.

What a wonderful woman and friend.  My days as neighbors at Balfour Retirment were made so much more fun because of her and her wonderful husband.

Mary Jo, or MJ as she was known at Caesarea Maritima, joined our archaeological expedition as a novice diver and one of our older volunteers. She quickly mastered the difficult diving conditions at our site and equally quickly became a mentor and mother equivalent for many of our younger participants. Her warm smile that seemed to never disappear and her compassion were realities we could always count on when Poseidon grew angry, and we couldn’t dive or when some piece of vital equipment failed delaying the day’s work. She was beloved by our Israeli hosts, not an easy feat and one I never mastered. When she began to take charge of our diving log – who, where, and what were the dive teams in the water doing – I told her it was very good for morale if the same number of divers who entered the water exited when their shift was over. It was meant as a joke, but I must commend her for organizing such an efficient operation. Even our Israeli friends followed her instructions, something that rarely happens in that country. She added so much to our archaeological efforts over the years. She loved the site, the country of Israel, and mostly the friendships that grew from the comradery we shared swimming and diving over time. We miss you, MJ.  Bob Hohlfelder

Dear Family,
I can’t tell you how sad I am to see an obituary about your mother.  She was my very dear friend,  as was your father.  We were room mates in Israel and best of friends  from then on.  Your parents visited us in Vail and we visited them in Boulder. We all had such fun together and shared a special bond. I haven’t met you children but feel as if I know you.  Your mother always spoke about you and loved you all.  I will miss my wonderful friend and share your grief.
My love and deepest sympathy,
Gail Dietz
Eagle, Co.

OBITUARY

Mary Jo Cooley

December 27, 1935 – November 25, 2023

Howe Mortuary & Crematory

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