Patricia Ann Cook

She was born November 3, 1930, in eastern Boone County, Missouri, the oldest child of the late Orville and Gladys (Moreau) Duncan.

Pat was a 1949 graduate of Hickman High School, in Columbia, Missouri. She was also a secretary in Agronomy Extension, Animal Husbandry, and the Secretarial Pool, at the University of Missouri for over 38 years. She strove for excellence in everything she did whether at home or on the job. She was an incredibly fast typist, and could manually format extension bulletins, and other complex documents. She also mastered word processing when computers began to appear on desktops. She managed and provided support to as many as six faculty members at a time. She was the secretary for the Professional Secretary Association, and brushed up her short hand when taking minutes. In other words she was awesome!

On July 8, 1951, she married C. Gene Cook, who until his dying day loved her more than anyone else in the world. Their marriage was far from perfect as Gene could be a handful, but she loved him quietly and continually.

She was preceded in death by her parents (Orville and Gladys), one brother (Buzz) with whom she was very close, her husband (Gene) and her oldest son (Daniel). She is survived by three sisters, Betty Johnson of Springfield, MO, Peggy Burnett of Coffey, MO, and Kathy Duncan of Springfield, MO. She is also survived by her daughters Debra (Richard) Bass, of Columbia, MO, Judy (Ric) Penley, of Mexico, MO, and her youngest son Michael (Mark) Cook, of Columbia, MO. She had seven grandchildren; three by Debra: Amy, Andrea and Angela, and four by Judy: Rebecca, Adam, Jessica and Christy. She also had 22 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren, all of whom will greatly miss her quiet strength, dignity, and smiling face.

Pat was a shy woman, who rarely spoke first, but always had a wisdom which made those around her listen intently when she spoke. She was raised in a rural setting during the Great Depression and the Second World War. On Friday nights, her mom and dad would pile them into their car and socialize with friends in downtown Columbia. She could hitch a team of mules, cultivate a field with a horse drawn plow, grow an immense garden, can and preserve her harvest, hand make her children's clothes, drive them all on their newspaper routes, work a full day, and have dinner on the table by six.

It wasn't until adulthood that we realized just how much she always did for us and we became fiercely protective of her. In later life, once she had helped her kids fly away from the nest and she had finally retired, she enjoyed flower gardening and yard work, needle point and cross stitch, crocheting, reading historical novels, bird watching from her deck, and watching her “stories.” She was an avid fan of Days of Our Lives, and later contemporary fantasy shows like Grimm and Once Upon a Time. She also enjoyed shows about UFOs and old Godzilla movies. She loved animals, and they were drawn to her. One time, while sitting on her deck, enjoying a sunny morning, a hummingbird spontaneously landed on her hand and stayed for several minutes. She was prudent with money, but generous to her children and grandchildren. Her guilty passions were a collection of over 500 antique toothpick holders, wearing hats and over one hundred purses.

Pat... Mom, was a truly unique woman of many talents, grace, good sense, and quiet strength. She touched the lives of all those around her and was deeply loved, and will be missed—especially by her children.

A Remembrance Gathering will be held at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, MO, on Friday, May 1, 2:00-4:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com