Betty J. Cook

Betty J. Cook, one of the original residents of Glen Eagle, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2014, at Munson Hospital in Traverse City, MI with loving family at her bedside. It was only 17 days before her 94th birthday. Betty was born at home during a blizzard on March 18, 1920 in Putman County, Ohio to Amanda Sroufe and Clarence Samsal. The doctor arrived by horse and buggy. She attended Bluffton College, Ohio, where she met and married Fred S. Cook to whom she was married for 60 years. Daughters Linda J. Hickman of Esher, England and Marcia Cook-Fine(Ron) of Traverse City, MI; grandchildren Jeffrey Hickman(Stephanie) of Palo Alto, CA; Sasha Beoshanz(Marc) of Davis, CA;Michelle Gray(Ed) of London, England; great-grandchildren Ethan and Chloe Hickman, Garret and Josie Beoshanz, and Anna and Juliet Gray. Betty's life took her from one room country school house to college in 1930's to marriage to a professor; from Ann Arbor, MI (Univ. of MI), to Cedar Rapids, IA (Coe College) to Palo Alto, CA (Stanford University) to Detroit (Wayne State U). She became a classic homemaker in the 40's and 50's. She later became a long time member of the Grosse Pointe Congregational Church, Wayne State University Faculty Wives, and was especially proud to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.). The latter was and outcome of her decades devoted to genealogical research (long before internet searches, all of her research notes hand written), which together with her husband Fred, took her to primary resources throughout the U.S., England and Germany. Travel was a significant part of Betty's life. for decades Betty and her husband travelled frequently to Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. More significant was her focus on her family and friends, reinforced through her prolific card and letter writing. She faithfully sent birthday, Christmas, wedding, anniversary, and graduation cards (and gifts) to family, extended family, and lifelong friends. She had maintained correspondence with some of these for more than 60 years. She sent her last letter to one of her great-granddaughters It contained genealogical information for a school assignment. The letter reached her great-granddaughter in London, England on March 1, the day she died. Please send memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Assc. of Michigan, which Betty supported in honor of her late Husband, Dr. Fred S. Cook.

Betty J. Cook

March 18, 1920 - March 1, 2014