1934 – 2024
Michelle “Micki” Cooley, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, died peacefully of heart failure on November 4, 2024. She was 90 years old.
Micki was widely admired for her kindness, compassion, and love of adventure. Known for her deep care and consideration for everyone she met, Micki was a cherished presence in every community she joined.
Born in 1934 in Tarentum, PA, Micki’s life journey took her across the country and through many chapters. After World War II, she moved with her family to Santa Monica, CA, and graduated from high school in 1952. She began her college years at UC Santa Barbara before transferring to UC Berkeley, where she met and fell in love with J. Paul Spector. They married in June 1954 and soon welcomed their son, Greg, in 1955, followed by their daughter, Rachel, in 1959.
Though her marriage to J. Paul ended in 1968, Micki found love again in 1970 with Bob Cooley, with whom she shared some of her happiest years. Together, they attended and graduated from Antioch College/West to become marriage and family therapists. They embarked on explorations, including cross-country trips in a VW van, and traveled to Mexico, England, Greece, and Israel. She also worked as a cook aboard US Geological Survey ships, a job that stoked her spirit of curiosity and thirst for new experiences.
From Culver City to Camarillo to San Francisco, Micki and Bob eventually moved to Ashland, OR, where they became trusted counselors until his sudden passing in 1981.
Following Bob’s death, Micki’s work took her to Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Grants Pass, OR. During this time, she held administrator and director roles at Head Start, Stephen S. Wise Temple, the San Francisco Jewish Community Center, Peninsula Temple Beth El, and Josephine Country Mental Health, providing compassionate care and early childhood education until her retirement in 2004.
Micki returned to California to spend her later years at Stephenson House in Palo Alto and ultimately at San Carlos Elms, where she made lasting friendships and brought playfulness, lightheartedness, and fun to community events. Micki loved dressing up and, most recently, was very proud to win the Halloween costume contest at The Elms. From Wii Bowling and chair exercises to holiday parties and Saturday mahjong, nothing made her happier than her time with fellow residents.
Micki’s love for music was woven throughout her life. She had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed singing in choirs. She particularly cherished Jewish liturgical music—a passion passed down from her father to her and her older brothers, Phil and Bob Silverman, who predeceased her. She played and taught guitar to many, sharing the joy of music with friends and family.
She was a proud and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who never forgot a birthday or holiday, often with musical greeting cards that the children collected and cherish. And every year, Micki’s many nieces and nephews eagerly awaited her homemade strudel, a treasured family recipe she learned from her grandmother and lovingly prepared each holiday season.
Micki’s interests and passions were as diverse as they were deep. She had an abiding love for animals, a keen dedication to her Jewish faith, and a fierce loyalty to the Golden State Warriors. An enduring Democrat and close follower of politics, Micki volunteered at the polls and dedicated countless hours to encouraging voter participation, sending thousands of postcards in every election cycle since 2018.
Micki died surrounded by her family and adoring boyfriend, Bart Keavney. She is survived by her children, Greg (Ellen) Spector of Redwood City, CA, and Rachel Spector (Margot Canaday) of Takoma Park, MD; her grandsons, Max Spector (Allison) of Portland, OR, Bennett Spector (Lauren) of Portola Valley, CA, and Grant Spector (Brooke Ekdahl) of Sausalito, CA; and her great-grandchildren, Felix, Camila, Everett, and Sasha.
Micki’s warmth, generosity, and infectious love of life will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In honor of her legacy, contributions may be made to local animal shelters, mental health organizations, or a charity of one’s choice.
May her memory be a blessing.
Micki was a most unusual talented beautiful woman. She lived a full life pursuing many of her talents and interest as well as helping all those she came in contact with along the way.
May her memory be a blessing.