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Heaven reclaimed one of its most special creations with the passing of Martha A. Cooley of Gerry, New York, on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at UPMC Chautauqua surrounded by her loving husband and family.
Martha was a quiet and reserved person who preferred to remain in the background while always putting others first, including her husband and her children. She gave up plans for a nursing career to help put her husband through college and served her daughters as a stay-at home mother, providing care and support for them. One of the greatest tributes given to her was by a friend who said that she had never known anyone "who didn't love Martha".
She was the wife of Paul K. Cooley with whom she celebrated 68 years of marriage this past June. Theirs was a lifetime romance as he wrote a note to her that said "I love you" when he was only ten years old. He referred to her as the "wind beneath his wings" as she supported all of his efforts in teaching, coaching, and refereeing, and said of her that nothing he ever accomplished in life could have happened without her love, support, and wise counsel.
Others recognized these traits in her as the Chautauqua County Board 39 of Basketball Officials awarded her a signed basketball for having attended over 1000 games that her husband officiated over more than 50 years. She was also honored at a Chautauqua County Seniors All-star game with a plaque naming her as the mascot of the basketball officials. She spent two wedding anniversaries on the road with his teams, with the girls on the softball team referring to her as "Mom".
Many of her most enjoyable moments were hikes in the woods and camping trips with her husband and daughters. She enjoyed music and could often be found playing her piano and singing hymns for her own enjoyment. Her daughters remember her extreme patience in getting three very different girls ready for school and trying to please their likes and dislikes.
Martha was born on April 28, 1934, in Wellsville, Ohio, the oldest daughter of the Reverend O.E. and Ruby Burlingame Anderson. Because her father was a minister, the family moved several times, with Martha attending schools in Pittsburgh, Pa., Fairmont, WVa, and graduating high school in Upland, Ca. After working for a year at General Electric in California, she came back East to begin college at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. Two years later she and Paul were married on June 4, 1955, in Indiana, Pa. in a ceremony officiated by both of their fathers.
Martha's strong religious faith led her to become active in the Gerry Free Methodist Church, where she has been a member for the past 60 years. She was a long-time member of the choir, a Sunday School teacher in the children's department, and one of the directors of the midweek CYC children's activities. In addition, she served as a communion steward, assisted her husband in his duties as Youth Director, and even worked as the church custodian. She was publicly honored by the church in 2001 for her dedication.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sisters: Doris Anderson and Kathryn Armstrong. She is survived by three daughters, Nancy (Randall) Phillips, Hickory, N.C.; Judy (William) Wright, Ruckersville, Va.; and Carol (Bucky) Payton, Suffolk, Va.
Also surviving are five granddaughters: Sarah (Arthur) Baker, Hickory, N.C.; Diadra (Thomas) Bendixen, Charlottesville, Va.; Brianna Wright, Ruckersville, Va.; Ashley (John) Birmingham, Suffolk, Va.; and Brittany Payton, Suffolk, Va. and two great-grandsons: Tobias Birmingham and Dean Birmingham, Suffolk, Va.
Friends may express their condolences to the family at the former Free Methodist Church in Gerry one hour prior to the Celebration of Her Life, which be held in the church at 1:00 pm on Monday, August 28, with her nephew the Reverend James Cooley officiating, assisted by the Reverend David McCarthy. Arrangements are by the Falconer Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department, Gerry, NY 14740, or to Samaritan's Purse, Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Visit our website at www.falconerfuneralhome.net to send a message of condolence.