Louise Lucille Cook

Louise Lofgren Cook was born on September 5, 1944, at her maternal grandmother’s home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania - along with her identical twin sister, Lois. It was a big surprise for her parents, Rev. J.W. and Helen Lofgren (“Bill and Patty”), who had no idea there would be two babies! As her father was an ordained Methodist minister she lived in nine locations in three different states during her childhood. She grew up in a closely-knit family, regularly spending time with loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Louise earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Waynesburg University (then Waynesburg College). She sang 2nd soprano in the Waynesburg College Chorus, and also in Lamplighters, a specialty touring choir where she learned to play folk guitar from a lifelong friend and also belonged to his folk group called “The Wanderers.” She then attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her master’s degree in Education while teaching 4th grade in suburban Pittsburgh. She met Gary Cook, her future husband, when she joined the University of Pittsburgh’s Heinz Chapel Choir, where he was also a singer.

After their marriage, Louise and Gary moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Gary attended the Chicago Theological Seminary and Louise taught 5th grade for three years in nearby Berwyn, Illinois. In 1972, they moved back closer to home and family, to the small town of McConnelsville, Ohio, where Gary was a Presbyterian minister and where their first son Jordan was born. Soon after the family moved again to Massillon, Ohio, second son Justin and daughter Cheney also arrived. In 1986, the family moved again, this time to Jacksonville, Florida, where Louise was the Administrative Assistant for two Synod Associates at the United Presbyterian Synod of South Atlantic. Louise later worked for 16 years at the corporate office of Smilecare Dental Associates as an Administrative Assistant with special focus on doctor credentialing.

Louise especially loved her family, her little 3 bedroom/2 bath home, and her cats. She loved being together with her children, their spouses, and especially her six grandchildren when they all gathered at her house each summer. And she particularly enjoyed decorating every room of her house with beautiful lights and colorful decorations for the whole family’s second big gathering each year just after Christmas.

She was a member at Highlands United Presbyterian Church where she was on the Prayer Chain, the Member Care Committee, and the packing team for Micah’s Backpack – an all-volunteer project that provides weekend food for children in need at numerous Jacksonville elementary schools.

Louise is survived by sons Jordan (Sharon Riechmann) Cook and Justin (Khara) Cook, daughter Cheney (Mike) Gundersen and six beloved grandchildren: Landon and Siena Cook, Nate and Natalie Cook, and Luke and Ty Gundersen, as well as by her identical twin sister Lois (Gary) Werner, sister Arlene (J.D.) Milliken, brother Charlie Lofgren, nieces Jodi (Scott) Hannan, Alissa (Kelly) Pummell, Susan (Alvin) Raber, and Debbie (Dave) Ryan, nephew Jon Werner, and by grand-niece Janeane Pummell, and five grand-nephews: Ryan and Jake Hannan, William “Billy” Pummell, and A.J. and Max Raber.

A public viewing will be held for Louise on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm at Hardage Giddens Chapel Hills funeral home at 850 St. John’s Bluff Road North in Jacksonville, FL. On Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00am, a memorial service in Louise’s honor will be held at Highlands United Presbyterian Church on McCormick Road in Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Micah’s Backpack via Highlands United Presbyterian Church.