Mary Cook

(Ledbetter)

of Lansing, MichiganMary Elizabeth Age 86, passed away quietly on Monday, May 21, 2007 at the Hazel Findlay Country Manor in St. Johns, MI following a brief illness. Mary was born in Burlington, NC on November 28, 1920 to Glenn R. and Linnie Lathetes (Hardin) Ledbetter. She attended Central High School and Davenport College in Grand Rapids and had a brief career as a photographer's model. In December of 1945, she married Fredrick Harold Cook in Pewamo, MI and lovingly raised three children with him. In 1968, Mary moved to the Lansing area.

Mary was an excellent secretary and bookkeeper and, over the years, worked for John Henry Dudley, Marguerite Moore, Holy Cross Parish, and St. Thomas Aquinas. She had a reputation for being kind and generous and very smart. She was also known for her quick wit and great sense of humor. She was active in the Michigan Democratic Party during the Soapy Williams era and served as Secretary to the Democratic State Central Committee. She was also a union organizer for a short time.

Mary was graceful and stylish and very particular about her appearance. She was an excellent seamstress and an accomplished painter. However, she was best known for the wonderful flowers that she grew and freely gave to any who admired them.

Mary was a devout Catholic, loving God and church and devoted to Jesus' mother Mary and the recitation of the rosary. She was very family-oriented and was respected for her wisdom, her strength, and her generosity.

Mary is survived by her special friend of 37 years Leo Smith, her sister Sue Nielsen of Hudsonville MI, her three children, Frederick H. (Sally) Cook II of Portland, Deborah A. Cook of Dowagiac, and Christian Dean (Carrie) Cook of Holt as well as nine grandchildren, Heather (Will) Chunko of St. Johns, Frederick (Meredith) Cook III of Lansing, Carrie Cole of Portland, Stacy Ladisky of Grand Ledge, Keith Gamble of Muir, Shelly (Charles) White of Dowagiac, Chad Jurgenson of Jonesboro AR, Holly Beavers of Novi, and Lynn (Jeff) Bowling of Holt. She is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was also survived by close friends Ray Drouin, Barb Main, Condra Mustain, and Jeannie Shipley. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters and one great-granddaughter.

Visitation (and rosary) will be from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday at The Tiffany Funeral Home with services at Holy Cross Church at 11:00 am. Thursday, May 24th. Interment will follow at St. Joseph?s Cemetery in Pewamo.