Patty Lynn Cooley

North Lima - Patty Lynn Cooley, age 76, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Beeghly Oaks Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center, Boardman, Ohio, after suffering from complications from a brain hemorrhage earlier in September.

Patty was born on November 12, 1942, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Paul Frederick and Mary Alice (Murray) Goodwin.

A lifelong area resident, Patty was a 1961 graduate of Boardman High School. She earned her bachelor's and master's degree in art education from Youngstown State University. Mrs. Cooley began her career as an art teacher at Western Reserve Local School District before taking positions with South Range and Austintown Local School Districts. She ultimately accepted an art teacher position at Crestview Local School district, where she spent the majority of her career, retiring in 2010.

Patty enjoyed teaching her students how to be artists. She took her art club on field trips to local art museums where she would have them not just look at the paintings, but she would have her students sketch them as well. She also gave them opportunities to give back to the community by window painting at various local businesses and nursing homes during the holiday seasons. Mrs. Cooley also created and spearheaded the annual Crestview Art Show every spring.

Patty expressed her enormous creativity through her photography, sewing, salt dough ornaments, pottery, drawings, and watercolors. In addition to starting a neighborhood crafting club, she and her sister, Cindy started a stenciling and tin punch business known as the Nook and Cranny.

Patty also was an avid reader, gardener, and baker. She loved to travel, visit friends, play euchre, and go shopping. She was intelligent, outgoing, outspoken, fiercely loyal to family and friends, and she had a laugh that made her shoulders shake. Patty loved cats and collie dogs, birthday parties, Christmas, and beach vacations. She was left handed, but always in her right mind. She was "Nana," "I love you more," "You Are My Sunshine."

Patty is survived by her husband, Roger E. Cooley, whom she married on August 20, 1966, at Paradise United Church of Christ in Canfield. In addition to her husband of 53 years, she leaves behind her two children, Seth Cooley of North Lima and Sara (John) McDonald of Peninsula; her grandchildren, Emma Cooley, Rose McDonald, Merell Cooley, and Clare Cooley; and brother John (Carol) Goodwin. She is also survived by brothers and sisters in-law, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Patty was preceded in death by her sister, Cindy Uvena.

A memorial service to celebrate Patty's life will be announced at a later date.

Patty's family requests that any gifts take the form of contributions to Scleroderma Foundation, Ohio Chapter, P.O. Box 107, Pataskala, OH 43062.

Arrangements are by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.