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Josephine Cook
JOSEPHINE P. COOK
Cedar Rapids
Josephine P. Cook, 100, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, at her home at Cottage Grove Place. Her death reflected her life of giving, as she chose to donate her body to the University of Iowa Department of Anatomy so that others might learn and benefit from her.
Jo was born May 6, 1917, in Deming, N.M., the daughter of Modesto and Anna Negri Pecolatto. She grew up in Los Angeles, Calif., and served in the U.S. Army as a nurse, where she met her husband, Sutherland Cook. They were married in New Caledonia on Nov. 3, 1943. After the war, she and Sud settled in Cedar Rapids to raise their family.
Jo was a volunteer at Mercy Medical Center, St. Matthew's Church and the Junior League of Cedar Rapids. She was an active supporter of all her children's activities. She loved sporting events, especially Hawkeye athletics.
Jo was a remarkably caring, beautiful, strong, resilient and fun-loving woman, who was renowned for her inimitable laugh. Along with her husband, she guided the paths of her five children and their families in a way that gave each of them a share of her generous spirit.
Those left to honor her memory are her daughters, Valissa Berg and husband Jeff of Marion, Jacque Cook of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Faun Robken of Iowa City; and her son, Rob Cook, and wife, Kathy, of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Frank; her daughter, Nancy Cook; and her daughter-in-law, Jane Cook.
Memorials in Jo's name may be sent to Valissa Berg, 2715 Clubhouse Dr., Marion IA 52302; or to the Cottage Grove Place Employee Fund, the Jane B. Cook Wellness Center at St. Luke's Foundation, the Literacy Assistance Center and the Foundation for AIDS Research.
Josephine was loved by all who came to know her. The family wishes to express appreciation to the vast number of friends and caregivers who became our extended family, including the compassionate staff at Cottage Grove Place.
Jo was celebrated at a large gathering on her 100th birthday on May 6. Per her wishes, there is no further memorial planned at this time.
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