Marjorie M. Cook, 94, formerly of Paw Paw, Earlville, and Roseville, Illinois passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was born January 26, 1916 in rural Paw Paw the daughter of John and Mary Atherton. She married Frank Cook on August 28, 1933 in Chicago, IL. She was a proud farm wife and mother, a teacher, pianist, a long-time member of the Roseville, Illinois Christian Church, a member of the Fox River Lutheran Church in Norway, IL, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. As a contestant on the "Queen for a Day" radio show, she met Jack Bailey who, along with Ted Mossman, helped her publish several of her musical compositions. Her song, "Honeymoon Waltz," won national acclaim having been played at the wedding of Vice President Barkley in 1948. At the age of 45 she attended Western Illinois University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught home economics for eleven years. She loved to cook, garden, travel, play cards, and spend time with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, brother, her son, Jack, a granddaughter, Constance, and her beloved husband, Frank.
She is survived by her daughter, Jeralyn Grey of Ottawa, her son, Frank Cook of Canon City, CO, and her daughter, Becci Hubbard, of Scottsdale, AZ. She is survived by nine grandchildren: James Grey of Earlville, IL, Carole Eich of Mendota, IL, James Cook of Denver, CO, Jonathan Grey of Earlville, IL, Joseph Grey of Mendota, IL, Jennaya Robison of Phoenix, AZ, Jared Rogers of Bremen, Germany, and Jonathan Messerschmidt-Rogers of Sacramento, CA. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at the Rollo Congregational Church (UCC) at 10am, Thursday, February 25, 2010. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9am-10am on Thursday in the church. Burial will follow at Precinct Cemetery in Earlville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Shriner’s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.