Karlen Cooney

Karlen Cooney, 99, Woodstock, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at her home.

She was born June 30, 1917, to James M. and Olive (Shockey) Hecht, in Woodstock. 

On Sept. 21, 1946, she married James H. Cooney .

Karlen lived her entire life on Lincoln Avenue in Woodstock, first at 393 with her parents and then at 355 after her marriage to Jim, who also was raised on Lincoln. She attended Northwestern University, and worked for more than 40 years for the McHenry County Circuit Clerk and McHenry County Clerk.

She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and supported not only their activities and pursuits but also the campaigns of her husband, who served as Woodstock mayor and McHenry County circuit judge. 

She loved gardening, golf and bowling, traveling to six of seven continents, bridge with the ladies, the Cubs, beautiful shoes and Dairy Queen ice cream. She endowed a fund at the McHenry County Community Foundation to support children’s causes in the county where she lived and raised her family, and she was generous with her time to all who knew her. 

She is survived by her three children, Melissa Cooney and Kent Cooney, both of Woodstock, and Andrea (Robert) Cusick, Springfield; six grandchildren, Brandy (Brian) Coakley, Brookfield, Wis., Jordan (Nick) Reget, Woodstock, J. Colman Cooney (Emily McGufficke) and Alexe Cooney, both of Portland, Ore., Laura Cusick, St. Petersburg, Fla., and Kerry Cusick, Springfield;  five great-grandchildren, Bailey Coakley, Megan Coakley, August Reget, Olive Reget and Frances Cooney; two nephews, James P. Hecht, Woodstock, and Dr. Robert Hecht, Arlington Heights; a brother-in-law Thomas (Jane) Cooney, Woodstock; and her favorite former daughter-in-law, Deah Cooney.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and two brothers, Irwin and Raphael Hecht.

At Karlen’s request, all services were private. 

Donations can be made to the James and Karlen Cooney Fund at the McHenry County Community Foundation, 620 Dakota St., Crystal Lake. 

In lieu of visitation, she requests that her friends plant a flower in her honor when spring arrives.

Arrangements were made by Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.