LaDonna Claire Cooke

LaDonna Claire Cooke was born on November 11, 1930, in San Diego. An only child, she was raised by her parents, Don and Mildred Alexander in the three story North Park home built by her grandfather. At the age of eleven, LaDonna befriended Sue Carson who would become and remain her closest friend for her entire life. Although LaDonna had no siblings, Sue became closer to her than most sisters are to one another.

LaDonna graduated from Hoover High School in 1947, and shortly thereafter met the love of her life, Tom Cooke, who had just returned from serving in the military during WWII. For the next 62 years, Tom and LaDonna shared a remarkable love not just for each other but also for their family, their many friends and for their church. They were both very active members of the Gateway Church and LaDonna, a gifted vocalist, sang in the church choir until her health no longer allowed it.

In December of 1949, LaDonna gave birth to their first child, Deborah. Two years later their son, Jim came on the scene followed by brother Don in 1956. Greg rounded out the foursome in 1959. LaDonna was the consummate mother, driving her kids to and from Little League practice, basketball practice, football practice, track and field practice, choir and performing arts rehearsals and happily siting through their games and performances.

The Cooke family owned and operated the Friendly Food Market in North Park and in Lakeside for many years. All three boys worked there in some capacities while growing up under the loving and watchful eye of their parents. There, they learned a little bit about business and a great deal about treating people fairly and with courtesy and respect.

Tom and La Donna loved to travel taking tours of Europe, England and Ireland while also visiting all fifty states of the Union. They also loved to water ski and spent many happy summers vacationing at Clear Lake California with the entire family taking turns skiing behind the family boat.

In 2005, Tom was diagnosed with ALS, and LaDonna became his primary care provider. The loving and compassionate care she provided her husband during the years he suffered with the disease was inspirational to all who witnessed it.

On April 1, 2016, LaDonna passed away surrounded by her loving family in her home of over 55 years after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Steingraber (Scott) three sons; Jim (Joyce) Cooke, Don Cooke and Greg (Kathy) Cooke. Six grandchildren, Bret Handley (Tanya), Vicki Brooke, Stacy (Dylan) Ciota, Rebecca (Brandon) Sabala, Amanda and Christine Afentakis, and seven great-grandchildren: Alyssa Lucas, Devin Brooke, Gwendylan Ciota, Thomas and Logan Sabala, River Ciota and Trevor Sabala.

The family would like to acknowledge Scripps Hospice for the compassionated care they provided our mother in her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations to either Scripps Hospice or the Gateway Church.