Elizabeth Cushing Cooney

ELIZABETH R. COONEY STAUNTON, VA Elizabeth Cushing (Robson) Cooney passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at her home on 305 Valley View Drive, Staunton, VA after a long illness. She was born on July 29, 1938 to William Thurman Robson, Sr. and Gertrude Cushing Larner Robson and delivered by Dr. Obenshain at home. Elizabeth graduated from Robert E. Lee High School at 15 years old. At 19 years old she graduated from Mary Baldwin College with a degree in Education, Psychology and Theology. She worked for the school system in Washington, DC for 3 years and then returned to Staunton teaching the blind students at VSDB, Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. Elizabeth also attended Vanderbilt University and Peabody University receiving her Masters in both teaching the blind and Education for Multi-handicapped. While living in Staunton, Virginia, she was the Youth Director at Trinity Episcopal Church and Director of Youth at the Southwestern Diocese of VA. She married Richard A. Cooney, a lawyer for the State of Florida. She lived in Sarasota, FL for 32 years. Mrs. Cooney was an outdoors person playing tennis, swimming, horseback riding, running, ice skating, skiing and yachting while at the Field Club in Sarasota. She owned a daycare center and ran a prefabricated home business while living in Sarasota. Mrs. Cooney was preceded in death by her husband, Richard W. Cooney. She leaves behind sisters, Mrs. Frances L. (Robson) Coble of Augusta County, VA and Mrs. Gertrude L. Parr of Charleston, SC and her brother, Mr. William Thurman Robson, Jr. of Staunton, VA; an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Larner. She is survived by her step-daughter, Laura (Cooney) Hardin and husband David Hardin, as well as, two step granddaughters, Hannah and Emily of Palm Beach, FL. She also leaves behind a number of nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews. She leaves behind many dear friends she grew up with in Staunton such as Ann Brooks, Betty Stewart Daltonaa, Margaret Lee Gardner, Virginia Gaylord and a very special devoted friend, Sara Gayhart Irby, whom she has known for over 70 years. She also leaves behind many beloved friends in Florida such as Gail Myers of Naples, FL. There will be no services held in Staunton, VA. The service will be held in Sarasota, FL. As were her wishes, she was cremated. Half of Mrs. Cooney's ashes will be placed at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, VA and the other half placed with her husband, Richard W. Cooney's remains at Saint Boniface in Sarasota, FL. For information, you may contact Saint Boniface Episcopal Church at 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, Fl.