Florence Cook

Florence Mary Cook, age 95, of Ithaca, MI died Friday, March 18th, 2011 peacefully and in the kind and compassionate care of Rosewood AFC with her family present.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel on Tuesday, March 22nd at 11:00 A.M., Pastor Jerry Drummond will officiate. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery North Star, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Monday 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel, Ithaca, Michigan.
Florence was born in Ashley, Michigan on June 19, 1915, the daughter Jack and Harriet (Staples) Harrod. On May 28th, 1937 she married Adrian Cook in Angola, Indiana.
Mary's long and rich life in Gratiot County had many dimensions. Education was foremost to her and originally as a graduate of County Normal she taught at several country schools, including Cook-Levering and Stoddard. While raising her family and teaching, Mary attended Michigan State and Central Michigan Universities ultimately receiving her degree and certification in Special Education. She served both Gratiot and Isabella counties as their hospitalized and homebound teacher for many years. Retirement meant spending more time at her second career, manager and owner, with her husband Adrian, of the North Star Golf Course. Mary and Adrian built the course on the old "Dibble Farm" which they bought early in their marriage, farmed for nearly 20 years, and raised their children Bob, Jim, and Carolyn.
The thread running through all of Mary's endeavors was her unlimited willingness to encourage, support and make it possible for others to fulfill their potential. Active into her nineties, she enjoyed fishing and golfing with Adrian from their Florida home and much travel after his death between Florida, Michigan, and New Mexico.
She is survived by children Bob (Penny) Cook, Jim Cook, and Carolyn (Ben) Burkland, and grandson Tyler Cook.
She was predeceased by her loving husband and partner Adrian in June 2008, her siblings, Jack (Evelyn) Harrod, Dorothy (Jake) McConkey, Kathleen ( Lloyd) Peters, and Marjorie (Ken) McNabb.
Memorials may be made to Hospice or charity of donora�(TM)s choice.
Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel Ithaca, Michigan.


Read Florence Cook's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.