Marcelle Cook Garcia

Marcelle Cook Garcia passed away at the age of 100 on Friday July 26, 2024, in Jacksonville. She was born February 14, 1924, in Alexandria, Louisiana to Arthur McKinley Cook and Amelia (DeWitt) Cook. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Lucille (Cook) Beckham, and her husband, Joseph Donato Garcia. She is survived by her sons, Terry (Mary) and Brian (Lisa), grandchildren, Jake (Jill) and Alex Garcia, Melissa (Cesar) Perry and great-grandsons, Felix Garcia and Cesar Perry, niece Darlene (Rick) Martinek, nephew Marshall Beckham, great-nephew Michael (Mayra) Martinek, great-nieces Melinda (Nick ) Wooten and Mandy (Joel ) Hargis, great-great nieces and nephews, Calvin, Josie, and Bishop Hargis, Parker, Preston, and Porter Eudy, and Maddox and Gavin Martinek.

Marcelle and her husband, Joe, were married for 55 years. Although they met in Jacksonville, they spent the early years of their marriage in Washington, DC later moving back to Jacksonville.

Marcelle had a long career in government service. She was an administrative assistant to renowned medical scientist Dr Harry Eagle, the first director of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, DC; assistant administrator at the Naval Hospital, Jacksonville Naval Air Station; and legal administrative assistant to administrative law judge for the Coast Guard, Michael Hanrahan.

Marcelle was an enthusiastic and intrepid traveler. Her motto was “…have suitcase will travel. Just let me know when we are leaving, and I’ll be there.” In fact, several months before her 100th birthday she renewed her driver’s license and passport, just in case there was an opportunity to visit her favorite countries (UK, Ireland and Belgium) or pretty much anywhere else.

She loved to garden but her passion (in addition to traveling) was reading. She read several newspapers and magazines each day and was always current on the latest national and international news. It wasn’t unusual for her to be reading 2-3 books at a time and she was particularly fond of mysteries, espionage and spy thrillers and historical novels.

She was very active at St Paul’s Church for over 60 years, as guild directress, Sunday school teacher, Economy Corner volunteer and parish secretary.

Services are scheduled for 11am on Saturday August 24 at St Paul's Episcopal Church 5616 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida. The family invites you to join them at a reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family ask that you donate to St Paul’s Episcopal Church.