Trilby Cooney, 87, passed away on June 20, 2026. She was born in Conway, NC and moved to Newport News as a small child. She graduated from Warwick High School in 1956 and attended Richmond Professional Institute. She was preceded in death by her parents, Collin and Mary Barnes, and her husband Eugene Cooney. She is survived by her brother, Bill Barnes; sons, Scott West and wife Chandra, Stuart West and wife Michelle; daughters, Jennifer Stevens and husband Mark, and Mary Helen Mueller and husband Chris. She adored her grandchildren — Megan and husband Brian, Ian, Spencer and wife Emily, Davis and fiancée Mikayla, and Collin — and great granddaughter Quinn.
She worked until she was 86 years old at the Mariners’ Museum, a place she loved. She enjoyed greeting friends, neighbors and out of town guests, with whom she loved to chat about their home towns and travels. She delighted in running into old friends or friends of her kids (usually at Hidenwood Pharmacy, Harris Teeter or a funeral). She enjoyed the many decades of her bridge clubs and their dear friendships. Her kids were her life and she was “that” mom — showing up at their sports events to cheer for them loudly, often to their great teenage embarrassment.
She was a member of the Junior League and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Mariners’ Museum or St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. A memorial of Trilby’s full and generous life will be held at St. Andrew’s, 45 Main Street, Newport News, on Friday, June 26 at 11 AM with a reception to follow at the church. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery next to her late husband Gene at a later date.