Corey Donelle Coots, 50, of Schaumburg, IL lost her nearly 4 year battle with cancer on June 11, 2024 as she was surrounded by loved ones. Corey was beloved by all who knew her and her loss is profound.  She had many roles in her life - daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher - but her most important role, and the one she lived for, was as mother to her beautiful daughter, Anna Lynn.

Corey was born on February 20, 1974 in Beloit, WI to Lawrence (Larry) and Trudi (Ambler) Coots.  She loved being a big sister to her brothers Casey and Kelly.  Corey lived in Sycamore, IL for the majority of her childhood, attending West Elementary School, Sycamore Junior High and then Sycamore High School.  Throughout high school, she was heavily involved in the music and theater program.  After graduating in 1992, she attended Elmhurst College (currently Elmhurst University) and majored in special education, earning her bachelor's degree in December of 1996.  She continued her involvement in the arts at Elmhurst and was a member of the choir and jazz ensemble. Corey treasured her experiences and memories from high school and college and remained closely connected with friends from Sycamore and Elmhurst throughout her life.

Corey was a special education teacher for 27 years.  Over those nearly 3 decades, she served students and families first at Dundee Crown High School and then at Barrington High School, where she spent the majority of her career.  She touched the lives of so many students and was seen as a caring teacher "who went beyond the call of duty" to personally connect with students and remind them of their worth.  Corey, who was greatly influenced by her parents who were lifelong educators, valued the teaching profession and served as a union representative and then as union vice president for several years.  Corey developed significant friendships with her Barrington colleagues and was greatly missed while she was on medical leave.  Her legacy will live on through the countless students she educated and through the many teachers she collaborated with over the years.

Corey loved spending time with her family and friends more than anything.  To put it simply, she was a people person! Being with those she loved brought her the most joy and comfort.  Corey loved to talk and had a true gift for telling stories. She was an avid reader and loved a good t.v. series or sitcom!  Like her mother, she was very creative and loved to make crafts and attend craft shows.  She loved to sing, attend musicals, go to movies and spend time at the beach.  And she took great pleasure in dancing and eating a good ham sandwich!  Throughout her life, Corey had a strong faith and that faith helped her through her most challenging of times which included the loss of both parents as well as her battle with cancer.   Corey felt closest to God at Camp Pioneer in Angola, New York, where she spent many summers as a counselor and formed some very special friendships with people across the country. Corey believed in the power of prayer and was incredibly grateful for the prayers made on her behalf over these past several years.

Before having her own daughter, Corey was the "aunt" to not only her own niece and nephews but to all the children of her cousins and friends.  But the birth of Anna allowed Corey to fulfill the role she was born for and treasured more than anything. Being Anna's mother was the greatest joy of Corey's life. She poured her heart into Anna and spent almost 14 years creating memories that will last her a lifetime. Like Corey, Anna enjoys the performing arts.  Corey adored watching Anna perform in several plays and musicals in the local community theater program.  They, along with Anna's Dad, loved going into Chicago to see musicals.  Corey passed on her creative streak to Anna and she was always so proud of the things Anna would draw, paint and create. Corey and Anna never shied away from road trips and traveling; their trips included Florida, New York, Michigan, and an epic trip to Wyoming for her cousin's wedding.  Corey and Anna also shared a love for two very special places: a family trailer in Milton, Wisconsin and Camp Pioneer in Angola, New York.  Corey was immensely proud of her beautiful, kind, smart, and creative Anna.

Corey is survived by her daughter Anna Lynn (Guinan), her brother Casey and his wife Kendra (Schreck) and their three children, Audrey, Sam, and Bennett and by her brother Kelly and his wife Anne and their sons Griffin, Owen, and Macklin.  She is also survived by her Aunt Lori (Gary) Safranek, her Uncle John Coots and many cousins.   She was welcomed home in heaven by her parents Larry and Trudi Coots as well as her grandparents Clarence and Mildred Coots and Don and Charlotte Ambler.

Corey will be remembered by so many for her infectious smile, her contagious laughter, her generous spirit, her solid faith, her unwavering loyalty, and her unending love for her family and friends.

Her memorial visitation will be held Thursday, June 20th from 4:00-8:00 pm at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made for her daughter: Anna's Education Fund.  The checks can be made out to Corey Coots and mailed for the family to the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178.

To sign the guest book, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com.