Obituary of June Cook

COOK: Mary "June" Cook (née Russell). It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of June Cook, our much loved mother and grandmother, on March 29, 2012 at the age of 85 years. Mom was born in Brandon, MB on June 16, 1926 to Patrick and Carrie Russell. Mom was raised in Brandon and attended Brandon Collegiate Institute. At 14 years of age she met a young man, Arnold Murray Cook, and they were married in 1946 after he returned home from the war. Mom and Dad had three daughters, Pat, Debby and Cathy. They also had what they called their "adopted" son, Dunc Grierson, who has been a part of their lives for many years. In the 1960's, Dad and Mom built a cottage at Brandosa Beach and we would spend every summer there. They made lots of wonderful friendships there and had such good memories from their time there. After Dad's retirement from the lumber business, they sold the cottage at Brandosa and bought a cottage at an island in Minaki, ON. As soon as the ice was off the water, they would make their way down to the island to spend the entire summer. Mom and Dad did a lot of travelling in their retirement years, seeing places such as Hawaii, a lot of the US, Italy, England, the Mediterranean area, Mexico and Australia. One of Mom's favorite pastimes was playing bridge and she would meet with the girls every Wednesday afternoon to play. Mom was also a member of the Kinettes and later the K-40 group. Mom's greatest joy was to spend time with her children and grandchildren. One of our fondest memories was gathering together every Sunday at Mom and Dad's for "Sunday Supper." Mom also started what she called "Gram's Summer School." Her and Dad would keep all the grandkids at Minaki for the entire summer, where they could ski, swim and play with their cousins for the whole summer. There were many wonderful memories made during those years. Mom was predeceased by her husband Arnold, her father and mother, her only brother Bob Russell, brother-in-law Keith Cook and sister-in-law, Merle Bass. Mom will be sadly missed by her daughter Pat Alexander and her children Cari (Shane) Mealy and their children Christopher and Addison; Jeff (Cindy) Alexander and their children Linden and Dawson; daughter Debby (Wayne) Charles and their children Dan (Coralee), James, Corynne (John) Hutton and their children Jack and Lucy; daughter Cathy (Bob) Woodmass and their children Chris (Shauna), Jarret, and Chelsea. She will also be missed by her great friend, Duncan (Judith) Grierson, sister-in-law Ruth Russell and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of June's life was held at Central United Church on April 4th, 2012. Interment followed in the Brandon Cemetery Columbarium.