Yolande "Landy" P Cooke

Yolande “Landy” Cooke, age 78, of Southlake, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her devoted, loving family and close friends at her home in Southlake, Texas, on Sunday, March 20, 2022, following a year-long struggle against cancer.

Landy was born in New York, NY, on June 14, 1943. Her parents, Bernard Polak and Marianne (Hendriks) Polak, had moved from Europe during World War II to escape the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Landy grew up in Middletown, NY, after which she continued her life adventures in Dallas, graduating with a M.Ed. in Psychology from the University of North Texas. Following her education, because Landy was committed to helping people who were less fortunate than her, she began a long career in social work at various agencies including Dallas County Mental Health Mental Retardation.

She then moved to New York City and Westport, Connecticut, where she continued her social work career. In New York, she also worked with the National Organization for Women (NOW). While living in New York City, Landy married David “Dave” Cooke on December 23, 1983, later moving with him to the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. In 2002, Landy returned to Texas with Dave, and the couple retired in Southlake. Landy loved spending time with family and friends and was passionate about world travel, which she did much of during her lifetime. She also loved film, music and art. It was her love of movies that led her to work for several years as the Filmmakers Liaison of the renowned Mill Valley Film Festival in Marin County, California.

Landy is survived by her husband, Dave; two children, David Itzla (and his wife, Heather) of Mill Valley, California, and Kim Itzla of Southlake; two grandchildren, Ian Itzla of Portland, Oregon, and Adam Itzla of Mill Valley, Calilfornia; and brother Evert Polak of Tucson, Arizona.

There will be a Celebration of Life held in Landy’s honor in Bolinas, California, date to be announced.

Contributions in Landy’s honor may be made online to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) by going to https://secure.pancan.org/site/TR/DIY/DIYTeamraisers?px=3241938&pg=personal&fr_id=1081

Online condolences to the family may be offered on the website at BluebonnetHills.com.