Gelda Lee Cook

Gelda Lee Cook, born July 23, 1933, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. She is reunited with her beloved husband of 65 years, Jack, and is survived by her daughters, Cindi (Vinnette), Julie (Jerry), and Laura (Howard), and her grandsons, Jerry, Jacob, Samuel, Alexander, and Ryan who will miss her deeply and are grateful for the countless memories they shared together.

Gelda was independent early on; starting college on her own in New York City and then going all the way to Miami Florida to continue her education at the University of Miami where she met her future husband and father to her children. Before completing her degree she left academia to support him in finishing his degree and start a family, only returning to UM to complete her degree once her children were all grown up.

Above all, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and she poured her heart into creating a home filled with unconditional love, warmth, steadiness, and music. At every opportunity, the family would get together at her encouragement to share good times, make new memories and sing. Gelda had a beautiful singing voice—clear, warm, and full of feeling—and she shared it generously.

Gelda had a gift for making people feel seen and cared for. Friends and family alike knew her as someone who could be counted on—steady in her support, generous with her time, and gentle in her wisdom. She loved to give of herself whether it was time or resources. She spent years supporting Hadassah’s mission of bringing healing — in every sense of the word — where it’s needed most. She did the same for PFLAG to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

She will be remembered for her soft laugh, her thoughtful nature, her beautiful music, and the deep love she carried for her family. Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled, the memories she created, and the lives she touched. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue; https://peggyadams.org/help/donate/ or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; https://www.stjude.org/promotion/impact-giving-