Thursday, October 1, 2026
Suzanne Margaret Walshe Cooley, with her two daughters by her side, passed away at the age of 85 on Dec. 11, 2025, in Granbury, Texas.
As she would say, she finally “faded into the mist.”
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 18, 1940, Suzanne came to the United States in 1955 and later became a naturalized citizen of which she was immensely proud. In 1958, Suzanne married James R. Cooley and moved to Breckenridge, Michigan, her husband’s hometown. Separating in 1966, Suzanne moved with her four children to Lansing, Michigan, where she began her career with the State of Michigan.
Suzanne’s ardent interest in the Arts led to her fulfilling that passion through costume design. She has been an independent costume and clothing designer since the late 1970s. Her creations found their place in a wide range of settings, including theatre, opera, national pageants, charity events, weddings, church programs, parades, and many other occasions. Suzanne’s name and accomplishments are no strangers to the local newspapers from Sag Harbor, New York to Lansing, Michigan, to Granbury, Texas.
“Mention excellence in costume design, and one local name comes to mind – Suzanne Cooley. And there’s ample proof of that: The Lansing State Journal has been giving out its Thespie awards, covering the entire local theatre scene, for six years. Suzanne has won five times.” Lansing State Journal, Saturday, Oct. 27, 1984.
The most difficult crisis Suzanne faced was her inevitable kidney failure. After enduring dialysis for three years, she received a cadaver transplant in November 2010. This gift allowed her to be uniquely her for over 15 years.
She is preceded in death by her former husband and father of her children, James Richard Cooley; her eldest son, James Austin Cooley (survived by his wife, Darcey Cooley); her youngest son, James Whitney Cooley; and her grandson, Keaton Cooley.
Her legacy lives on through her two daughters, Victoria Kemp (married to Richard Kemp) and Linda Whitmer (married to Bud Whitmer), along with her grandchildren: Richard Kemp (April Kemp), Jennifer Cooley, Ryan Kemp (Jennifer Kemp), Garrett Whitmer, and Emily Cooley. Her great-grandchildren: Matthew Cooley, Blake Kemp, Rose Cooley, Ryland Kemp, Calob Kemp, Adalyn Kemp, and Hope Kemp, along with numerous cherished friends and acquaintances, will miss her dearly.
Please join us to celebrate Suzanne’s life Jan. 9, 2025, at 11a.m. at Acton Methodist Church. Reception to follow.
