Sheryl Katherine Cooney
“You are my sunshine”
Our beloved Sheryl Kathleen Cooney, born November 10, 1946 in Spokane, Washington, peacefully passed away on November 1, 2021 at Hospice House of Spokane after a short, brave battle with neuroendocrine cancer.
Sheryl lived an exceptionally meaningful, impactful life both personally and professionally. She was a loving wife to her husband, Thomas Cooney, for over fifty years. The endless love she poured into her two children, Scott Cooney and Meaghan Cobb, was immeasurable. She was their champion, rock and safe haven. Sheryl cherished her many grandchildren as well, Beau Cooney, Aleena Cooney, Nolee Curtis, Dane Cobb and Anders Cobb. She loved to bake, with her specialties being her gorgeous tray of Christmas cookies each year, her delicious pies, as well as her famous prime rib. She loved watching Gonzaga basketball, Sunday football, going out to lunch with her dear friends, loving on her beloved dog Ginger and spending time with her family.
Sheryl poured her passion for life into her career. Her professional career began after graduating from Gonzaga University and completing medical technology training at Sacred Heart Hospital in 1969. She was soon hired by Pathology Associates Medical Lab, where she refined her knowledge and skills in research, and she was hired to head special chemistry at Sacred Heart Laboratory. Sheryl worked at Sacred Heart for many years before she was hired as a Senior Laboratory Scientist for the Meek-Tuttle Laboratory at Sacred Heart. Sheryl's creativity, dedication and ingenuity allowed her to blossom in kidney and diabetes research. Her career accomplishments were impactful world-wide, as her special training in culturing cells was a critical piece in helping with a variety of break-through therapies. Her maternal and loving instincts were carried over to her beloved cells as well. She often left home for work on the weekends telling her family, "I need to go feed my cells." Her dedication to her profession was unwavering.
Sheryl is survived by her husband, Thomas Cooney; her children Scott Cooney and Meaghan Cobb (Rick Cobb); her sister Deloah Browne; her grandchildren Beau Cooney, Aleena Cooney, Nolee Curtis, Dane Cobb and Anders Cobb; her many cousins (who were like siblings to her) and many dear, lifelong friends from her studies at Rogers High School, including numerous friendships made throughout her career. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Cecilia McRae.
Funeral Mass will took place on Saturday, November 13th at 2:00pm at St. Thomas More Parish.
You knew the little things in life were mattered!
Mom-you are my sunshine
The world Sheryl knew
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