Bernadene Cooley

Bernadene (Ramge) Cooley, 90, a homemaker, formerly of Conneaut Lake, PA, died August 26, 2005 at Rolling Fields Nursing Home, Conneautville, PA.  She was born March 7, 1915, in Kenton, OH, the only child of Ray D. and Gayle Hastings Ramge.  She lived in Springfield, OH, before moving to Conneaut Lake, PA, in 1951.  She was a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, and taught Senior High School in the Columbus, OH, area before her marriage in June, 1938 to John B. Cooley MD, who preceded her in death in May, 1979.

Mrs. Cooley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Meadville, where she served as an elder, deacon and church school teacher for many years.  She was President of the First Presbyterian Church Women’s Association as well as serving on the Lake Erie Presbytery Board and committees, and as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Church Women United.  She was also an associate member of Fifth Street Presbyterian Church in Conneaut Lake.

Mrs. Cooley served the Crawford County Society for Crippled Children and Adults as a charter member, as well as President and Easter Seal Campaign Chairman. She and Dr. Cooley were instrumental in establishing Camp Lend-a-Hand at Conneaut Lake, PA, as a summer resident camp for the Northwest PA Society for Crippled Children and Adults.  She also was a Girl Scout Leader, and served on the boards of the Crawford County Girl Scout Council, Meadville Women’s Club, Meadville Literary Club, and the Mental Health Society.  She was a member of the Meadville Antique Study Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Crawford County Medical Society Women’s Auxiliary, and volunteered at Meadville City Hospital, the Historical Society and the League of Women’s Voters.

Mrs. Cooley was well known in the area as a public speaker, primarily discussing her numerous trips abroad to missions of the United Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and Church Women United.

Mrs. Cooley is survived by her four daughters: Sharon and husband Joseph Czaika of Tawas City, MI; Janet and husband Dominic Spain of Huntersville, NC; Barbara Henry of Erie, PA; MaryJo Price of Frostburg, MD; six grandchildren, Joseph Spain, Steven Spain, Jennifer Price Hall, Ellen Czaika, Sarah Czaika Spencer, Heather Price, and three great-grandchildren, Dominic Spain, Olivia Spain, and Anna Spain.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

Funeral services will be held at Monday at 11 a.m. at Fifth Street Presbyterian Church, 145 S. Fifth Street, Conneaut Lake with Rev. Penney Fujii, Pastor and Rev. Brian K. Jensen, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Meadville, officiating.

Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to one of the following: Conneaut Lake Public Library, First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty Street, Meadville, PA 16335, Fifth Street Presbyterian Church, 145 S. Fifth Street, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 or the donor’s favorite charity.