Charley Cook went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2026, at the age of 100. She was born in Detroit, MI, to Charles A. and Althea J. Fassen. The family lived in Ottowa Hills (Toledo), OH and Oak Park (Chicago), IL, before moving to Shaker Heights (Cleveland), OH, where she graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1943.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947 from Smith College in Northampton, MA, and her Master of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, in 1950.
Following graduation, Charley taught elementary grades in Wilton, CT, Webster Groves (St. Louis) and Casis School in Austin, TX.
She met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Cook, Jr., in 1953 and married him on July 10, 1954, at Ladue Chapel in Clayton (St. Louis).
She and Bob moved to Austin, where Bob finished his BBA at the University of Texas, after which the two moved to Alamo Heights in San Antonio, where Bob began his career in banking.
The two became six with the addition of four children, who all attended Alamo Heights schools and Texas Christian University.
Charley was active in the Alamo Heights School system, her church and the community. She served as a member of the PTO board at Howard Elementary, AH Junior School and AH High School, heading several committees. As a member of Alamo Heights Christian Church since 1955, she served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, organized the Junior Youth Fellowship, and held several leadership roles in the Christian Women’s Fellowship. She also served as president of the Smith College Alumnae Association and president of the Delta Gamma Mother’s Club. She served on the boards of several organizations, including Friends of Hospice, and as a McNay Art Museum Docent for more than 20 years.
Charley and Bob loved to travel and visited many countries and every continent. Cruises were special favorites, and they took more than 70, earning elite status on several cruise lines. They instilled the love of travel in their kids by hosting family cruises as well as many trips to Mexico with their children and their spouses, and grandchildren.
Charley was preceded in death by her husband of almost 72 years, Robert L. (Bob) Cook, Jr. and sisters Gloria Fassen Dangl (Kansas City) and Marilyn Fassen Leinberger (and her husband, Robert C. Leinberger - St. Louis).
She is survived by her four children, Susan Cook and husband Bill Holt (Fort Worth), Robin Cook Hamilton and husband Terry Hamilton (Southlake), Mindy Cook Connally and husband Fritz Connally (Arlington, TX), and Scott Cook and wife Kelli (Fort Worth); as well as grandchildren Mary Byrne Connally McLain (John), Robbie Fassen Cook (Lauren), Maggie Connally Kash (John), Katie Hamilton Arnett (Zack), Riley Cook Claxton (Colten), Emily Hamilton Cato (Neil), and Remington Cook Donoghue (John), plus 9 great-grandchildren and 2 more on the way.
Services for both Charley and Bob will be Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1:30 pm at Porter Loring Chapel, 1101 McCullough Ave. in San Antonio.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Charley and/or Bob be made to Alamo Heights Christian Church, The McNay Art Museum, or the USO.
Mr. Cooks obituary can be found here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-antonio-tx/robert-cook-12793355
