Mary Louise Cook passed away due to a long-term illness at Fidalgo Care Center in Anacortes on Dec. 25. She was 85 years of age.
Mary was born in Fargo, N.D. to William H. Cruden and Elisie A. Otto on June 28, 1931.
Mary moved to Seattle as a young child and ultimately met her husband, Lloyd Cook. They married on Nov. 29, 1949 and traveled the world together. Mom raised her four children in Hawaii, Japan, China Lake and Tennessee before finally settling on Whidbey Island in 1964.
Mary was active in all naval-wife activities in support of her husband, family and other naval wives. She worked at the naval day care for 20 years and retired as a preschool teacher. Many, many of her students and their parents remember her very fondly and would yell out to her in grocery stores.
Although her husband’s death in 2008 created a huge hole in Mary’s life, she continued to travel and keep busy for many years. Her travels included a train trip with her daughter back to her roots in Fox Glove, Wis., and Castleton, N.D., as well as Fargo. They met many old friends who remember her father William Cruden and already loved Mary, just because. Mary traveled to Arizona several times to visit grandchildren and to San Diego to visit her friend, Ruth Thiele.
Mary L. Cook is survived by her children Richard P. Cook, William (Teri) Cook, Jeanine (Patrick) Dyer and Barb Cook Culver. Also surviving are grandchildren Jason Cook, Robert Cook, Rachel Cook, Caitlin Cook, Kristin Cook and great-granddaughter, Ensley Cook. She was preceded in death by Lloyd and her oldest son, Robert Cook. Two years ago, the family welcomed Robert’s daughter, Kristin Lerch and husband Alan into their lives.
A memorial service for Mary will be held at 11 a.m., April 8, at Maple Leaf Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the American Legion.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. To leave messages or share condolences, please visit Mary’s book of memories page on the funeral home website at www.wallinfuneralhome.com
