It is with deep sorrow that the family of Diana Marie Cooley announces her recent passing. Diana was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and cherished member of the Detroit community.
Diana was born on October 15, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan and she departed from this world on January 3, 2025, leaving a lasting legacy of love and kindness. She lived in Detroit, and was a proud Detroiter through, and through. Diana’s parents the late Daniel and Evelyn “Evie” Grimaldo enrolled Diana into St. Vincent Catholic School in Corktown in Detroit.
Diana loved Detroit winters and feeling the crisp cold air in the early morning hours while visiting the Eastern Market to pick up her daily fresh produce. Diana was always known as a hard worker by all who knew her. She was the first female hi-lo driver and supervisor at Cunningham Drugs. While working at Cunningham she met the love of her life Donald “Don” Cooley and their love created their one and only child Eugene “Gene” Cooley.
After moving on from Cunningham Drugs Diana decided to help run the family restaurant “Evie’s Tamales”, which was named after her beloved mother Evelyn. Diana took the family business to great heights having the “best tamales in Southwest Detroit” which was coined by Channel 2 Fox News. “Evie’s Tamales” is now proud to be third generation owned and operated.
Diana really touched the lives of many with her food, warm spirit, and generous heart. Diana has been a pillar in the community and was selfless in her contributions to the Mexicantown Southwest Detroit neighborhoods. She will be profoundly missed by her devoted son, Eugene (Shawn) Cooley who was her pride and joy. A cherished sister of Judith Vela, Irene LaBruyere, Dolores (John) Farrell, David (Mari Jane) Grimaldo, and one sister in law Paula Grimaldo, brother in law Jose Villanueva. Diana was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald “Don” Cooley, brothers Daniel, Steven, and Michael Grimaldo, sister Maria Villanueva, brother in law Izzy Vela.
Diana’s unwavering support and love for her family were the cornerstones of her life, and she leaves behind a wealth of cherished memories and lessons for all of those who knew her including nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services to celebrate Diana’s beautiful life were held on Saturday, January 11 at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Home (Don Graham Chapel) in Detroit. When anyone asked Diana how she was doing her response would be “The sun is shining and the sky is blue…it’s a good day!”
The family invites all who knew and loved Diana to join them in remembering this remarkable woman by sharing a memory at www.verheyden.org/obituaries.
