Mary A. Cook

Mary A. Cook, 87, of Gray, passed peacefully away at her home on Monday, September 21st with her loving husband, Robert E. Cook by her side.

She was born in Everett, MA on September 13th, 1933 and was the youngest daughter of the late Theron and Gertrude (Reilly) McCool.

She attended Everett High School where she met Bob and started their life long journey together over the next 70+ years.

After their marriage, Mary and Bob both worked at Polaroid where Mary was a Financial Specialist for many years. She would say the best part of working there was meeting her lifelong friends, Rita Patenaude and Dolores “Ducky” DiBiase.

After her retirement, she and Bob enjoyed researching their families’ ancestry, touring battlegrounds, many trips, including Branson, MO and attending many concerts of her favorite artists. Mary was very proud of the long list of country singers she saw and met.

In addition to her favorite pastimes, nothing pleased Mary more than spending time with family and cherished friends at her camp on Pleasant Pond. You would either find her in the kitchen cooking family meals (including the best French toast this side of the Application Mountains), sitting on the porch playing cards, crocheting or watching her great-grandkids learning how to swim in the same spot her children and grandchildren did. She knew every boat that passed by and greeted each with a wave and her famous smile. She always enjoyed cozying up with the little ones eager to watch a good thunder & lightning storm or the fireworks on the 4th of July. The ones that made the biggest “BOOM” were her favorite.

She enjoyed over 25 years in Venice Florida after Bob’s retirement during the winter seasons. There she made dear friends, played many rounds of golf and enjoyed the early bird specials. As much as she loved her home in Florida, she always looked forward coming back north to see her family.

Mary had an ability to have anyone she met feel like family and loved that she was known as “Nana” by so many.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, devoted daughter, Barbara J. Farren and husband, Wayne Huberdeau of Raymond, ME., son Tom and wife Claudia Cook of Gardner, MA., Daughter–in-law, Linda Cook of Marlborough, MA.; Grandchildren, Matthew and wife Evelyn Farren of Merrimac, MA, her little chicken, Richard “DJ” Farren of Haverhill, MA; Thomas and wife Lindsea Cook of Templeton, MA and Ryan Cook of Gardner, MA; and her most precious gems, her great-grandchildren, Tanner, Niamh, Morgan and Rónán.

Mary also leaves behind her beloved niece, Susan and husband Frank Liger and their daughters Jillian and Jessica of Burlington, NJ, nephews Kenneth and wife Shirley of Bloomfield, MI and Richard and wife Anita Palmer of Allentown, PA. As well as her extended Foley and Beauchamp families, including Joan Beauchamp of Carlisle, MA.

She is predeceased by her beloved first born son, David Michael Cook, both her parents, sister Eleanor and husband Charles Palmer, brother, William and wife Mary McCool.

Viewing hours will be held between 1-4pm on Thursday, September 24th at Wilson Funeral Home (24 Shaker Road) in Gray, Maine. A graveside service will be held at Spring Street Cemetery, on Spring Street in Essex, Massachusetts at 1pm Friday, September 25th 2020. Face coverings and social distancing per current state guidelines will be required at both venues. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to The North Cove Road Association:  6 Snap Hook Drive York, Maine 03909.

The family has made a video tribute at http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Gx3TZ7Jj

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