Betty Anne Cook

Born August 25, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Charles Nelson and Frances Eleanor (Dennis) Jenks, Betty was a natural athlete and talented musician. In high school Betty met the love of her life, John Alden Cook, Jr. Married July 3, 1946 in Detroit, Betty and Jack obviously loved children. Their life was devoted to their nine beautiful and beloved Cook kids born within a span of 16 years. That love and devotion carried on to their ever-expanding family.

Preceded in death by her mother Frances, father Charles, brother John, and beloved husband Jack she is now truly with him—Always. Their love was not for just an hour not for just a day not for just a year…but Always.

Betty and Jack were pioneers. In 1955 they ventured West with their young family to Spokane then Edmonds, Wenatchee and eventually Olympia in 1972. Betty and Jack were dedicated fans and supporters of their children and grandchildren’s various athletic and extracurricular activities. Together, they enjoyed league bowling, bridge card games, golf, tennis, and baseball. No matter the locale, they always found a local baseball team to follow. They were loyal Seattle Mariners ticket holders from the team’s inception. Besides raising nine children Betty had various part time jobs to help financially. In Olympia, Betty was school bus driver for many years with Olympia School District. In her golden years Betty became an avid biker and familiar figure briskly walking Olympia streets. A talented singer in high school, Betty’s passion for music lasted her lifetime. She played clarinet, piano and organ. Betty shined in talent shows and music theatre productions. Sing-a-longs led by Betty on her organ were a given. She was still playing and singing old favorites until Alzheimer’s and arthritis took their toll in recent months. Jack and Betty were active members of many organizations especially the American Legion in Wenatchee and Wintergarden Senior Park in Yuma, AZ. A volunteer for many organizations, Betty’s most recent endeavors included the Olympia Police Neighborhood Watch and the Olympia Senior Center. The local senior circuit softball league has not been the same since Betty the Boopster bowed out a few years ago.

Betty is survived by all nine of her children: Kathleen (Dale) Anne (Cook) Lambert of East Wenatchee, WA, John (Suzanne) Charles Cook of Stevensville, MT, William Kirby (Connie) Cook of Glacier, WA, Jeffrey (Miriam) Alden Cook of Phoenix, AZ, Karen (Gerald) Frances (Cook) Nelson of East Olympia, Julikay (Steve) Hungerford (Cook) Cady of Olympia, Kyle (Susan) Carpenter Cook of Olympia, Kent (Kathy) Dennis Cook of Blanco, TX, and Janee (Shawn) Lavelle (Cook) Medved of Los Gatos, CA.; two sisters, Daryl (Ted deceased) Joy (Jenks) Nelson of Pittsburgh, PA, Sandra (Joey) Lynn (Jenks) Arnuco of Olympia, six nieces, four nephews; 21 grandkids, and 24 great grandkids.

The family would like to thank Dana and her staff at Tumwater Senior Living for their loving care provided to our mother in her final months and those at Capital Place Retirement in Olympia for their years of love, support, and companionship when our mother was still vibrant and active.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be 3 pm September 9, 2019. Arrangements are by Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater, WA with a gathering to follow at the Nelson Ranch in South Olympia.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of one’s choice.