Ann Cooney (nee Morton). (January 1951 – December 8, 2023)
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our mother, Ann Cooney at age 72 in Ottawa, after nearly four years living with lung cancer. She is survived by her sons and their partners, Darren (Rob Brien) and Andrew (Sarah Turcotte), grandchildren Mila and William, and her siblings Allan Morton (Helen), Kathryn McKeown (Steve), and Douglas Morton (Dawn). Predeceased by her parents, William and Keitha Morton (Stapley).
Ann was born and raised in Stirling, also living in Campbellford, Frankford and Belleville before returning to Stirling where her children grew up. She later made the move to Ottawa, where soon her grandchildren were born. It was happily her home for the last 11 years.
Ann grew up wanting to be a nurse and was so proud to become one, graduating from the Edith Cavell Regional School of Nursing in 1972. She loved working with newborns in obstetrics at Belleville General Hospital and later in homecare with the VON. She was an avid volunteer, including with St. Paul’s United Church, Girl Guides, the Canadian Cancer Society, Stirling schools, a horse stable, and the Quinte Humane Society.
The most generous person we know, mom gave to many charities, including World Vision, Amnesty International, and World Wildlife Fund, even though she had limited means. She loved to shower her grandchildren with gifts, treat us to meals at our favourite restaurants, and encourage us to buy ourselves presents with her help.
Mom loved woodcarving, art, clothes shopping, reading, hockey, Indigenous culture, and especially horses. In 2019, she went horseback riding in Ottawa, making her the oldest person to ever ride at that stable. Recently, she discovered Madahoki Farm in Ottawa, where she treasured visiting the herd of rare Ojibwe spirit horses. Believing it was never too late to try something new, in her late 60s she learned to play the clarinet and joined the New Horizons community band in Ottawa.
Her biggest passion was her family, whom she adored. She poured all her love, heart and soul into raising her two sons by herself. In her, we knew unconditional love and support. She was our biggest fan, immensely proud of all we accomplished and patiently encouraging us during our challenges. Mom’s heart grew with the birth of her grandchildren, who became her greatest joy. Over the past few years, she was blessed to babysit them often, teaching, hugging, holding, and seeing them grow.
Quiet until she knew you, Ann was smart and witty like her Grandmother Morton. Mom had tremendous strength and courage, even though she didn’t always see it in herself. She didn’t let her illness stop her and continued planning for her future.
At Ann’s request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
We would like to thank Dr. Regine Krechowicz of Bytown Palliative Medicine and nurse Roy Dellosa of SE Health for their support for our mother over the past several weeks.
Donations in Ann’s memory can be made to Madahoki Farm, Lung Cancer Canada or CMHA Hastings Prince Edward.
“Of all the things I’ll ever do in my lifetime, mothering my children will always be my greatest accomplishment.”