Jess Porter Cooley

Jess Porter Cooley passed away December 8, 2018, at her Petaluma home, “Casa Mia”, surrounded by family.

A fifth generation San Franciscan, she was born September 19, 1927, to Hugh Beverly Porter and Frances Welch Lent.  She was a devoted sister to the late William Lent Porter (Barbara), and the late Beverly Grey Porter.

She attended the Katherine Delmar Burke School, in San Francisco, and Stanford University, graduating with the class of 1948. She married A. Crawford Cooley in 1949.

Before moving to Petaluma in 1976 she was an active tennis player and charitable volunteer in the Atherton and Stanford communities.

Jess was a founding member of the Napa-Sonoma Junior League. She loved animals, her horses, dogs and cats always close by. A charming, warm and generous person she excelled in entertaining, hosting an annual neighborhood Christmas party, the guest list for which expanded every year.  Fondly known as Jessie to so many people in Petaluma, she will be remembered with affection by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Jess leaves behind her husband A. Crawford Cooley, her children Janet Cooley Dilg (Steve), the late Michael P. Cooley (Lissa), Nancy Cooley (Benasuli), Robert A. Cooley, as well as grandchildren Jessica Sterling Malek (Mo), Alex Benasuli (Justin), Marina Benasuli, James Cooley Benasuli, Crawford E. Cooley and Alexandra E. Cooley, and great grandchildren J.D. Malek and Sasha Malek.

The Cooley’s would like to thank each of the devoted caregivers; most importantly Isaias and Heraclio Vargas and their five sons.

A private service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers Jess requested a donation to the Humane Society of Sonoma, Guide Dogs for the Blind or a favorite charity.