WINDSOR, VT
Frieda B. Cooley, 90, a longtime resident of Windsor, passed away Friday afternoon, April 23 at the Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor following a brief illness.
She was born March 15, 1920 in West Hartford, Vermont the daughter of Percy B. and Blanche M. (Hazen) Mills. She received her schooling in West Hartford and attended Hartford High School. She left high school early to help raise her two younger sisters upon the unexpected death of their mother. She later went on to earn her GED. She married Kenneth C. Cooley in Windsor, Connecticut on July 29, 1955. They moved to Windsor, Vermont in 1958.
She was employed as a telephone operator at the former New England Telephone Company and later as head desk clerk at the Windsor House in Windsor for several years, under three proprietors. She was employed at the former J.J. Newberry's in Windsor, and as manager of the former Brooks Drug Store. She also worked as a bus dispatcher for Vermont Transit in White River Jct. She and her husband moved to St. Albans in 1975, when he was transferred as a correctional security supervisor, due to the closing of the Vermont State Prison in Windsor. While in St. Albans, she was employed as the women's department manager at Grant's Department Store. They returned to Windsor in 1980.
She was a member of the Rachel S. Harlow United Methodist Church in Windsor. She was a member and Past President of the American Legion Post #25 Auxiliary in Windsor and was Past Fifth District President of the American Legion Auxiliary for the State of Vermont. She and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout Vermont and New Hampshire attending Legion and Auxiliary events. She was an honorary member of the Vermont Sheriff's Association.
She and her husband enjoyed spending time at Silver Lake in Barnard when their children were young and in later years at York Beach, Maine. She delighted in, and was proficient at sewing, knitting, crocheting and needlepoint. She was fond of doing crossword puzzles with her husband, and loved to dance, the polka being her favorite. She received her greatest pleasure by spending time with her family.
She was predeceased by an infant brother, Leon in 1917, her mother in 1937, and her father in 1960. She was saddened by the passing of her two younger sisters, Fern Lusco in 2008 and Rita Hill in 2009.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of fifty five years, Kenneth of Windsor, three sons, K.C. (Ken) Cooley, Jr. and his wife Judy of Shelburne, Vermont, Dana Cooley of Windsor, Doug Cooley of Windsor, one daughter, Cindy Trent and her husband, Brad of Bountiful, Utah, five grandchildren, Dan Cooley and his wife, Amy of Los Angeles, CA, Dustin Trent of Bountiful, UT, Ellie Trent of Bountiful, UT, Luke Trent of Roy, UT, and James Davis of Milton, VT, three great grandchildren, Clementine Irene Cooley and Penelope Louise Cooley of Los Angeles, CA, and Riley Davis of Milton, VT, several nephews and nieces, including Linda Dion and her husband, Bobby of Claremont, NH, and several half brothers and half sisters.
She is also survived by two sons, Steven Petrucelli and Stanley Nutting, and was predeceased by two sons, Joseph Petrucelli and Stuart Nutting, and by her stepmother, Lizzie Clifford.
Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor on Tuesday evening, April 27, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, April 28 at 11:00 AM at the Rachel S. Harlow United Methodist Church in Windsor with the Rev. Ken White, Pastor, officiating. Committal services will follow in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society at 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748.