COONEY
Jean
The last of the Argentia Cooney's has died. Jean Cooney was born at Cooney's Crossing, Argentia in 1926, and recently died in hospital at Elizabeth, New Jersey, in the loving presence of her niece, Linda Tanks. She was 89. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Theresa (Smith), as well baby brothers, Francis and Richard. Her eldest brother Thomas drowned during a hurricane off New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1938. Most of her remaining seven siblings left Newfoundland after the family home in Argentia was expropriated for the U.S. naval base. Jean, the youngest, moved to the U.S. in 1953 to join brother Arthur (Tony) and sisters Mary, Margaret, and Carmel. She worked at Metaldyne, an automobile parts company. Michael Jr. moved to Windsor, Ontario, while Camilla (Wadden) remained in Newfoundland. All the Cooney girls were pretty, but Jean was the prettiest. She said she would never marry, and remained staunchly independent to the end. Jean loved the Jersey shore, Topsail beach and the annual St. John's Regatta, timing her visits home to attend it. "Aunt Jennie" is survived and loved by her 22 nieces and nephews, some of whom will return to Newfoundland with her remains this summer to honour her memory.