1916
Helen
2015
Helen Mar Cook
November 10, 1916 — January 10, 2015
Helen Mar Whitney Cook passed away January 10, 2015 following surgery for a broken hip. She was born November 10, 1916 to Albert O. Whitney and & Eva Leah Ransom in West Jordan, Utah.
Helen spent her childhood with her maternal grandparents Annie and Thomas Ransom in Monroe, Utah. She graduated from South Sevier High school in 1935 and later attended LDS Business College and took many courses at Weber State College.
She worked as a secretary for many years, being employed at Ogden Retail Credit Union, General Mills, and Weber State College where she was employed until she retired.
She met Emest C. Cook shortly after his return from the Eastern States Mission. Quickly separated by war, they married in the Salt Lake Temple Aug.7, 1945 while he was home on survivors leave after his aircraft carrier was hit by a kamikaze. He died June 26, 1996 after 51 years of marriage.
Helen served in numerous callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as an officer and teacher in all of the auxiliary organizations at both the stake and ward levels. She was the last surviving grandchild of Apostle Orson F. Whitney.
She was the last surviving grandchild of Elder Orson F. Whitney, sometimes described as the Poet Laureate of Mormonism. She inherited her grandfather’s gift for the written word and became an accomplished and frequently published poet, receiving numerous awards in prose and poetry. She published four volumes of poetry. Her first book, Shape of Flight, was published in 1975 by the Utah State Poetry Society when she was named Poet of the Year. She was a well-known teacher and lecturer in poetry workshops and readings throughout the state of Utah. She was a member of the Utah State Poetry Society having served as President and in various official capacities. She served as president of The League of Utah Writers and the Utah Association of the National Pen Women and served on the National Letters Board. She also served as President of the Ben Lomond Poets, Blue Quill Writers, and on the Literary Arts Panel of the Utah Arts Council. She was also a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
Helen spent the later years of her life with her daughter, Diane and husband, David Nielsen in California and Texas. She is survived by her three children Diane Nielsen, Argyle, TX; Clayton Cook, Auburn, CA; David L. Cook, Pittsford, NY currently living in Santiago Chile; nine grandsons, one granddaughter and ten great grandchildren.
A small memorial service will be held at the Aaron's Mortuary 496 24th Street, Ogden Utah on January 17, 2015 at 1 pm. Interment to follow at Aultorest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to either the Nation Arthritis Foundation http://www.arthritis.org/ or the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org/TaxDeductibleGifts
Helen spent her childhood with her maternal grandparents Annie and Thomas Ransom in Monroe, Utah. She graduated from South Sevier High school in 1935 and later attended LDS Business College and took many courses at Weber State College.
She worked as a secretary for many years, being employed at Ogden Retail Credit Union, General Mills, and Weber State College where she was employed until she retired.
She met Emest C. Cook shortly after his return from the Eastern States Mission. Quickly separated by war, they married in the Salt Lake Temple Aug.7, 1945 while he was home on survivors leave after his aircraft carrier was hit by a kamikaze. He died June 26, 1996 after 51 years of marriage.
Helen served in numerous callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as an officer and teacher in all of the auxiliary organizations at both the stake and ward levels. She was the last surviving grandchild of Apostle Orson F. Whitney.
She was the last surviving grandchild of Elder Orson F. Whitney, sometimes described as the Poet Laureate of Mormonism. She inherited her grandfather’s gift for the written word and became an accomplished and frequently published poet, receiving numerous awards in prose and poetry. She published four volumes of poetry. Her first book, Shape of Flight, was published in 1975 by the Utah State Poetry Society when she was named Poet of the Year. She was a well-known teacher and lecturer in poetry workshops and readings throughout the state of Utah. She was a member of the Utah State Poetry Society having served as President and in various official capacities. She served as president of The League of Utah Writers and the Utah Association of the National Pen Women and served on the National Letters Board. She also served as President of the Ben Lomond Poets, Blue Quill Writers, and on the Literary Arts Panel of the Utah Arts Council. She was also a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
Helen spent the later years of her life with her daughter, Diane and husband, David Nielsen in California and Texas. She is survived by her three children Diane Nielsen, Argyle, TX; Clayton Cook, Auburn, CA; David L. Cook, Pittsford, NY currently living in Santiago Chile; nine grandsons, one granddaughter and ten great grandchildren.
A small memorial service will be held at the Aaron's Mortuary 496 24th Street, Ogden Utah on January 17, 2015 at 1 pm. Interment to follow at Aultorest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to either the Nation Arthritis Foundation http://www.arthritis.org/ or the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org/TaxDeductibleGifts
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Mar Cook, please visit our flower store.
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