Ava F. Cooley

Ava F. Cooley, 98, of Topeka, passed away Friday, January 12, 2024.

She was born September 13, 1925, in Louisville, Kansas, the daughter of Arthur and Maude (Armour) McAlister. She graduated from Topeka High School.

Ava married H.B. Cooley on October 7, 1944, at Camp Roberts, California. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2014, as much in love then as the day they married. To their union in marriage, they had one cherished daughter, Pat.

Ava was a secretary for Stormont Vail Physical Therapy Department and later worked for Kansas Credit Union.

She was a member of the Gage Park Baptist Church, of Topeka. Ava was a former Eastern Star and was a member of the Moose Lodge.

Ava was an extremely talented individual. She had a passion for crafting and creating special gifts for others, such as quilts, baby blankets, costumes and more. She also loved scrapbooking, working puzzles and cooking and baking for loved ones.

H.B. and Ava would spend their winters in Mesa, Arizona. They loved to travel, enjoyed square dancing and playing cards with friends.

She leaves behind her daughter, Pat Oates; grandchildren, Cody (Brooke Brown) Oates and Carrie (Jason) Crider and two great-grandchildren, Aurora Oates and Delaney Oates. She was preceded in death by her husband, H.B. Cooley; her parents and siblings, Opal, Paul and Don.

Ava will lie in state from 1:00pm-5:00pm on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas. A funeral service will be at 10:30 am., Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka. In her honor, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to the American Heart Association PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Ava's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

To share a memory of Ava or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.