Alberta Cook

Alberta Jean Cook “Jean” passed peacefully with her two surviving daughters and two granddaughters present on Friday, October 15, 2021, after a 13 year battle with Alzheimer’s.  Jean was the wife of Keith Cook.  They shared 52 years of marriage. Keith preceded her in death June 2008.

Jean Ellis was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on November 26, 1935.  She was the only child of Mabel Martha (Ferguson) and Lee Roy Ellis.  She grew up in Cheyenne, Laramie, Casper, Denver, and Nebraska. Growing up she spent a lot of time at Grandparent Ferguson’s ranch outside Cheyenne.  She settle in Denver and graduated from South High School and then attended Colorado Women’s College.  She graduated with an Associate Degree.

In August 1956 she married Keith Cook and started a family.  Jean was a stay-at-home mom which meant she did all kinds of volunteer work and was very involved in her daughter’s lives.  While the girls were growing up she lead the Brownie troop, Girl Scout troop, taught Sunday school, and participated in school activities.  As a founding member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, she worked in the office, printed bulletins, was a Deacon, an Elder, a Sunday School Superintendent and member of the Some-Times Circle.  She was also a member of Northglenn Garden Club and had a standing bridge game with community friends.

When the girls were in high school, Jean worked for “poofing off” money at the Greyhound Bus Tours at May D&F downtown and the Hallmark Store in San Antonio, TX.  Jean sewed, quilted, gardened, made a home, made cut-out cookies for every holiday and loved her family.

In the best of her retirement years, Jean and Keith spent time working at the Adams County Museum, South Platte Valley Historical Society, and fishing.  They traveled to visit their grandkids and traveled the world (South Korea, Italy, Germany, Russia, Ireland, England, Egypt, Australia—to name a few).  Their first trip in retirement was a motorhome road trip to Alaska with their best friends, Don and Mary Brunn.

Jean was mother to Susan Shaw (Ken), Carol Rhine (David) and Karen Brunn (deceased) (Mark). Her grandchildren, which were the joy of her life, are Chris (Ashley) Rhine, Nathan Rhine, Kelly (Katherine) Shaw, Setera Shaw, Kristin (Brian) Taylor, Erin Brunn.  Her great grandchildren which she knew of but did not get to enjoy are Caiden, Addison, and Avalynn Rhine.

Jean Cook’s memorial service will be on Saturday the 23rd of October at 10 am.  St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 18901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO.  This is a celebration of Mom’s life—no black allowed.

Donations to Alzheimer’s or American Cancer Society or your favorite organization would be appreciated.

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