Sylvia Marie Cooke

Our world feels a little less vibrant with the passing of our beloved Sylvia Marie “Shelly” Cooke. Our beautiful wife, mom and Grammy passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by all she loved on December 16th, 2024.

Shelly was born in Kentucky in 1945, but her true hometown was South Bend, Indiana, where she met the love of her life Jeffrey Cooke.

Shelly and Jeff shared a once in a lifetime love story. They were married for 46 amazing years and during that time they shared 15 different homes from the Midwest, the East Coast and across the Sea! No matter where they were, Shelly made friends with everyone and never knew a stranger.

While they lived abroad, they traveled through Europe together, along with their daughter Mindy. They spent New Years in Paris watching the Eiffel Tower illuminate at midnight, dipping their toes in the Mediterranean Sea, kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland and driving all through the English countryside. Shelly would tell you that these were some of the best years of her life.

Later down the line, after settling themselves in Williamsburg, you could often find them at their favorite local spot, the Sportsman’s Grille. They enjoyed cooking out, and watching Notre Dame football on their deck. Shelly loved having a glass of her favorite Chardonnay and her smokes with her family by her side.

She loved gardening, doing water aerobics, taking walks through Colonial Williamsburg, listening to good music turned up loud and spoiling her clowder of cats who she absolutely adored.

We are comforted knowing her beautiful spirit will live on through the countless lives she touched. When we see the sunshine, it will be a reminder of her infectious smile and the many laughs we shared. And as we navigate through this new chapter in our lives, we will hold her dear in our hearts, knowing we shared an unforgettable abundance of love with our dear “Chardonelly”.

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” - John 16:22

A Graveside Service will take place at 1:00pm on December 26, 2024 at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 809 S Henry St., Williamsburg, VA 23185.