Kelly Jo (Borton) Cooley

Kelly J. Cooley, 66, of Washington, IL, passed away at 10:10 am, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded by her loving family.

Kelly was born on April 4, 1958, in Peoria, IL, the daughter of Donald and Janet Redman Borton. She married Fred Cooley on January 19, 2001, in Washington.

When Kelly started her family, her first and most important job was as a stay-at-home Mom to her four kids. As the children grew and began their interest in sports, Kelly helped to run the programs at the local Oliver Thomas ballpark. After raising her children, she took jobs outside the home: LaGondola and Katy's Cafe. Her final job before retirement was at the well-known bakery in Morton known as The Confectionary. During that time, she acquired a love for baking. But Kelly's real job, which she mastered better than most ever will, was being an amazing mother and grandmother.

Kelly always found joy in baking, cooking, and pretty much anything that took place in the comfort of her kitchen. Kelly would make her famous homemade pizzas. She would fill the kitchen with every kind of toppings and invite the whole family to come and eat. She also enjoyed crafting, garage sales, and turning a thrift store item into a personalized gift for her family. Kelly also loved pictures of her family. We would often joke that if you let her look at your photo album, you could expect her to take a few for herself.

Her son Jason is a talented artist and its safe to say that her favorite pictures were the special pencil sketches that he gifted to her. She proudly displayed them throughout her home. She enjoyed reality TV with her daughter Jennifer as well as reruns of I love Lucy. Kelly also loved to watch the Chicago Cubs with her daughter Jill. And we all want to say a big thank you from the whole family to Kelly's daughter Jodi for always showing up to take care of her mom when she needed her most.

The greatest joy, gift, and legacy that Kelly has ever had and has left behind will always be her children and grandchildren.

Surviving are her husband, Fred of Washington, IL, one brother, Kurt Borton of Washington, IL, one sister, Mindy (Todd) Hollingsworth of Washington, IL, and sister-in-law Lynne Borton of Washington, IL. Her four children Jason (BJ) Henderson of Washington, IL, Jill Zaiser of East Peoria, IL, Jennifer Eckstein (Ben Hardin) of Washington, IL, and Jodi (Josh) Heyder of Washington, IL. Ten grandchildren: Andrew Zaiser, Ryan Eckstein, Joshua Heyder, Jr., Ryleigh Eckstein, Evan Henderson, Quinten Zaiser, Hudson Heyder, Anthony Heyder, Easton Zaiser, and Drake Hardin. One great-grandson, Carter Zaiser, and another great-grandson on the way. Proceeding her in death are her mother, Janet Borton, brother, Kent Borton, and nephew, Jake Borton.

Visitation will be Friday, May 24, 2024, from 4 pm until 6 pm, with a service to follow at 6 pm, all at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington. Cremation will follow her service. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Jolt Harm Reduction or the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To share a memory or condolence to her family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.