Sandra Lee Cook

October 1, 1939 - January 26, 2018

Sandra Cook's Life Story Sandra Fiene Cook, 78, passed away on Friday, January 26th, 2018 at her home surrounded by family and friends after a 7 month courageous battle with cancer. Loving mother of Darren (Jodi), John (Missy), Melissa, Jason (Grace), and Jay (Jennifer). Extremely proud grandmother of Eric, Shelby, Hannah, Nick, Anna, Caitlin, Jeremy, Jessica and Josh. She also loved all her furry grandchildren who always looked forward to seeing Grandma. Dear sister of Bethel Radke and Shirley Dandurand. Very dear friend of Sue DelPreto (Tony). Waiting for his mother to join him in heaven is David Cook. She was known as Momma to many and she will be missed by all. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 at King of Glory Church, 36W720 Hopps Road, Elgin at 10:00am. Interment will be private. In the Beginning… Sandra Lee Cook was born at home on October 1, 1939. The other children, with the exception of Geneva, were sent out of the house with Grandpa Meyer (who lived with them at this time), to perhaps see a movie. Geneva witnessed the birth which was attended by either a midwife or family doctor (Mom doesn't remember which.) Her sister, Janel, and she were two years apart. As you can see from early photos, she was smart and a very cute child. She always had the same cute pose, with her head held high. It was not the photographic style to smile in portraits at that time. In the sibling relationship with Janel, she quickly established herself as the leader. Before school age, they became upset with their mother for not giving them some money for treats and decided to run away to Aunt Mamie's (married to Anna's brother.) They couldn't remember the way, got lost and were recovered by a man from the neighborhood who worked at Commonwealth Edison. He brought them home. Sandy was popular in school, always out and about with her friends. This left her sister, Janel, at home with their mother. Janel was the one who ran errands for Anna and go get things at the store . From elementary school on, she was a very good student, popular and maturing into a pretty young girl. She was very interested in learning and was an excellent student. In high school, she was on the honor roll, and strived to do even better than her sister, Bethel. She called herself "Miss Honor Roll" which is a fact she made sure her children knew. In addition to her scholarly interests, she was also popular, very social and was voted prom queen. (Mom doesn't remember if it was junior or senior year - hopefully one of you kids know.) Life wasn't always easy for young Sandy. There wasn't a lot of money, and got even tougher when their father decided to desert his family circa 1952/1953. Her only brother, Myron, was compassionately discharged from the U.S. Air Force, which he loved serving in, and came home to help support his mother and the children still at home at that time, Barbara, Sandy and Janel. Sandy worked at Dairy Queen during high school to bring in some money. After high school, she worked as a teller at the phone company, taking payments. She married Logan Cook on November 29, 1958. After marriage, she moved to a teller position at City National Bank in Kankakee. After a few years (Mom doesn't remember- could probably piece it together backwards from Logan's graduation date) Logan and Sandy decided together that they would move to Davenport, Iowa. Logan attended Palmer College to study chiropractic medicine Darren and David were already born at that time, and Sandy worked to support the family as Logan finished his education. A Friend Named Sandy Written By: Sue DelPreto Where do you begin when you're asked to put together a life story of your very best friend of 48 yrs? Well, I'm going to begin with the first time I saw Sandy and her 6 kids outside of their Hanover Park house in the summer of 1970. She had her little twin boys, Jason and Jay, in the yard playing in a swimming pool naked, while 2 other kids, John and Missy, where watching. They were no more than 2 yrs old and yet there still were another another 2 kids, Darren and David, running around causing trouble. I should have walked away right then knowing that a mom with 6 kids was not a friendship that would be an easy one. Well, I didn't walk away, I introduced myself and that's how it all began. She was a Momma who was very protective of her cubby bears. She would never allow any of the neighbors to say anything about her kids without defending them to the hilt, which many times got her in more trouble. Sandy did not have it easy in any stretch of the imagination. She was constantly trying to keep up with the chores of raising 6 kids. Sandy was an animal lover and she had every kind of animal you could think of come home with her kids; from a bird named Turkey, to a horse the kids brought through the house one day. She had 5 cats at one time and her favorite was Mush. Later, she also had a cockatiel named Hank that was the boss in her home. We were all afraid of him because he was a little protective of her. A little 125 gram bird even terrified her 6 foot boys. One morning she accidentally opened the front door and Hank flew out. You should have seen the two of us running up and down our street yelling "Hank…Hank!" He never came back and that really hurt her so much. There was always something going on at the Cook's house. We did find time to get to know each other a lot better. I told her about my life and she told me about her's. She had many days when she just didn't want to talk to anybody, and continued... 1 2 Next ...continued that was very understandable. But that didn't stop us from getting closer and closer. I think I became someone that she could confide in without judgement. My life changed when I became a Born Again Christian, I was different and she knew it. We used to sit together and discuss the meaning of God and Why God would allow bad things to happen and why there was so many children living in poverty, and on and on. Her questions were never ending. Well, at one point they ended and my prayers for Sandy came to pass. She became a Christian and her life also changed. She started working at Household Bank and became a very independent woman. After the kids got older and married, she decided to move to Florida where she would be close to Darren. During her time in Florida she lost her beloved son David. Sandy was never the same after that. What mother would be? God gave her such strength during that time, He showed her His Mercy big time. She loved being with Darren and Jodi and especially loved being with her grandkids Eric and Shelby but she decided to move back home when the red ants infected her and the heat just got to her. I was so glad of that...we took off like she was never ever gone. We have sad memories but so many happy ones to. She loved each one of her beautiful children and each one of her loving and caring grandchildren… -Nicholas ..she thought of you always and wanted so much to get to know you and your family -Jeremy ..her heart was filled with love at the man you became and always loved your visits. -Hannah…her beloved David's daughter she loved seeing you when you would visit. -The joy of these last 7 months were her Anna, Caitlin, Jess and Josh. Oh My, what can I say... when she talked about you guys her face just lit up, all your games win or lose, she bragged on each one. You all gave her what every Grandma needs....Love. Always remember that she loved you more than life itself! I have been more than Blessed to have lived across the street from my best friend in Hanover Park but the BEST Blessing is that God allowed us to live across the street from each other these last 11 yrs. He knew we would both need each other in these last few months of her life…Yes, I needed her as much as she needed me. I also got to watch the results of a mother's sacrifice ..with the Cook kids coming through for their Momma Cook with flying colors. What an honor it was to see such love and dedication each one of them going above and beyond. I know I promised your mom I would take care of you if anything happen to her when you were young....but I hope you guys will always allow me to be part of your life NOW even though you aren't in need of being taken care of… My heart is broken but my faith is strong...I know I will see her again! Previous 1 2