July 22, 1952 – May 8, 2019
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend passed away peacefully at her home May 8, 2019 after a long battle with injuries and illnesses including COPD.
She was born July 22, 1952 to Joseph Thomas and Ruth Christiansen Gittins in Salt Lake City and had 11 brothers and sisters. The early part of her life was full of the unique challenges that come from living in a large family.
She started a new chapter in her life on March 21,1968 when she married John Eugene Cooke. The newlywed couple set out to make their own lives. Their new life would be free, exciting and forged by their own hands. Soon they welcomed a son, John, into their little family.
Early life was exhilarating. The summer sun shone bright and warm. The magic of autumn brought bright colors, warm drinks, family dinners, and Halloween.
The special experiences that came with each season could not compare to the joy of bringing home another son, James, in 1970.
Leah held her new family close, while keeping the best parts of her old life near, as well. She was welcomed into her husband's extended family, and all of them quickly became a circle of friends.
The road of life was never short on happiness. Every season had its own celebrations. Over every hill lay a new destination to look forward to. Weekend camping trips, family birthday parties, picnics in the park, thunderstorms in the spring, and of course fireworks in the summer.
1976 would bring the country's bicentennial and the birth of a much loved daughter, Carrie.
Life went on, as it does, and Leah, with her husband, did their best to keep the magic in their lives and happiness in their hearts.
Our family had its fair share of challenges and despair along the way, but Leah always kept the hope alive. She gave anything she had happily, willingly and freely. One of her biggest regrets was that she didn't have more to give.
Naturally, the road of life turned more rough and dark. The blessings of a large family also brings its own share of grief. Despite the turn in fortune, Leah strove to focus on the blessing—and there were many blessings. There were graduations, weddings, more birthdays, new family members, and of course grandchildren. She was always so excited to welcome a new grandchild to the family. Leah has often said, “I was an aunt as soon as I was born. I adore getting to be a grandma.”
Leah and John were married for more than 51 years. They have 3 children, 6 grandchildren 5 adopted grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
She was proud of every single person in her family. She couldn't believe what a privilege it was to be related to such a diverse group of people who had such unique talents and who brought such new excitement into everyone's lives.
She was also proud to have been able to walk through life shoulder to shoulder with her dear husband. They balanced each other out, and together they managed solve their problems, each one bringing their own strengths to help bear the burdens of life.
She valued every person that she ever knew. She loved anyone who gave her a smile. She would thank everyone she ever met for adding something special to her life.
She wished to be cremated, and a memorial party will be held in her honor at a later date.
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