Mary Angela Perry Cooley

Dec. 6, 2022

Mary Angela Perry Cooley died on Dec. 6, 2022, at age 92 and in accordance with her wishes: peacefully and surrounded by family and friends.

Shewas born in Bessemer, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, to Lt. Colonel John and Dorothy Stowers Perry.

She proudly attended Hollins College (Roanoke, Virginia) and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology. Upon graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Lee Cooley. The two were unshakably devoted and were the centers of each other’s lives. The couple lived in Alameda, California while Robert served in the U.S. Navy as a pilot, with postings in both the United States and abroad. It was in Alameda that She and Robert adopted their first child, Bob.

The family moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana, when Robert became a professor of mathematics at Wabash College. Over the next ten years she and Robert were foster parents to more than a dozen children in the home they lovingly called The Grand Old House. Later they adopted David, Catherine and Christopher. While raising her four children, she began graduate studies in social work at Indiana University. She earned a Master’s in Social Work in 1980 at the age of 50. She worked as a clinical social worker at Culver Union Hospital, Howard Community Hospital and Wabash Valley Mental Health Center. She was a natural to train foster parents, later worked for Indiana Child Protective Services, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Youth Service Bureau.

She was a member of many professional organizations: American Public Welfare Association; Child Welfare League of America; National Association of Social Workers, Indiana Chapter; National Alliance for Mental Illness; Institute of Family Therapy (UK). Later in her career, she focused on adult services and elderly care, and joined the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter. She served as President of the Advisory Board of the Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs, and on the board of the Montgomery County Council on Aging. Always ahead of her time, she founded an Adult Day Care Center in Crawfordsville.

She and Robert attended St John’s Episcopal Church where Angela served on the Vestry as well as many additional committees. She was a Life member of the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County Indiana, MCCA, the Flower Lovers Club and Wabash Women.

Family and friends admired her for her intellect, southern charm and service to her community. She often dressed in bright cheerful colors, and enjoyed simple pleasures such as bird watching and gardening around her home. In the evenings she enjoyed her “toes up time,” reading everything possible, but especially mysteries, philosophy and religion.

Survivors include her sons, Robert (Jane Kaitson) and Christopher; three grandchildren, Stephen, Sarah and Sylvia; younger sister, Lisa Kalloch; nephew, Perry; and nieces, Holly and Faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lt. Colonel John and Dorothy Perry, husband Robert, daughter Catherine and son David.

The Cooley family would like to express its sincere thanks for the incredible care she received at Whitlock Place.

A Celebration of Life and Farewell will take place on May 23, 2023, at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church (PO Box 445, Crawfordsville, IN 47933) or the Montgomery County Community Foundation (PO Box 334, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.)