RoseAnn Cooney
Dec. 21, 1937 - Jan. 29, 2026

RoseAnn Cooney passed away peacefully at her home on January 29, 2026. She was born December 21, 1937, to William “Bill” Quilici and Lena Quilici. At the age of four, RoseAnn’s father and brother passed away unexpectedly.

Lena met and married Louis Legaz in 1945. RoseAnn gained a baby sister Angie in 1950 and a baby brother Mike in 1955. When RoseAnn was 17 years old she married Lynn Rieke. Together they had four boys – Kenny, Ronnie, Jack and Lynn Jr. While raising the boys on Humboldt Hill, RoseAnn was known to hop on a dirt bike and ride up and down the then undeveloped hill

RoseAnn worked at Shanghai Low as a waitress, St. Joseph Hospital in the Housekeeping Department and probably her most favorite job at Gottschalks. She told many stories about her and the girls and the fun they’d have working at the department store. After retirement, RoseAnn worked part time at Shafer’s Ace Hardware helping take care of the indoor and outdoor plants. Her favorite job at Shafer’s was decorating the Christmas trees each holiday season. Even this last year she made sure to make a visit to the store to see the beautifully decorated trees.

RoseAnn met and married Vern Cooney. Together they enjoyed many years of fun, laughter and shenanigans with their friends and family. As their family grew to include spouses and grandchildren, Vern and RoseAnn bought property in Phillipsville, Dean Creek and finally Trinity Lake where they loved to entertain family, friends and especially the grandchildren. RoseAnn was known to hop on a wave runner and zoom across the lake. Vern and RoseAnn also enjoyed taking the wave runners to poker runs around California. They loved to travel and enjoyed many great trips together.

RoseAnn will be known for her spirited personality, her mischievous laugh, her love for the latest fashion her granddaughters were wearing, all things sparkly, leopard print, cozy boots and blankets, a good roaring fire, her famous potato salad and meeting the Shafer’s girls for lunch and/or mimosas. RoseAnn especially loved to play cards and was always up for a game of rummy or cribbage which she played until her passing. She was always up for a good time or adventure.

RoseAnn especially loved her four boys and her grandchildren. She would do anything for them and they, in return, took loving care of her until the end – assuring she was able to be at home per her wishes.

RoseAnn was preceded in death by her husband Vern Cooney, her oldest son Kenny, her second son Ronnie, her stepfather Louis Legaz, her sister Angie Young, her father William “Bill” Quilici, her mother Lena Legaz and her granddaughter Amber Rieke.

RoseAnn is survived by her sons Jack Rieke (Michele) and Lynn Rieke Jr. (Jevonne), daughter-in law Diane Rieke, brother Mike Legaz (Jean), step-daughter Kim Cooney, step-son Vern Cooney, grandchildren Becky Hickey (Jason), Brad Rieke (Megan), Ron Rieke II, Tiffanie Rieke, Jason Rieke (Joe), Kacy Fisher (Tyson) and Patric Rieke, niece Paige Baker (Colton) many great grandchildren and great nieces and nephews .

A Rosary will be held on Saturday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Church followed by a reception at 12 p.m. at the Ingomar Club in Eureka.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Barbara Tupau and Elizabeth (Becca) Luifau for their compassionate care and love for RoseAnn the last 6 months.