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Service

Friday, June 29, 2018
11:00 AM EDT
Central United Methodist Church
222 N. Cass St.
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 946-5191
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Cherryland Floral
1208 S. Garfield
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 941-5761
Driving Directions
Web Site

Blossom Shop
1023 E. Eighth St.
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 932-9470
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flower Station
341 W. Front St.
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 946-1742
Driving Directions
Web Site

Lilies Of The Alley
227 E. State St - Alley
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 360-3620
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Helen G. Cook, 99, Traverse City, MI Sept 29, 1918 - May 21, 2018

Helen Greenleaf Cook was born on September 29, 1918, to William and Grace Greenleaf in Auburn, Maine, the second of four children. She graduated from Edward Little High School where she was a cheerleader and crowned the Winter Carnival Queen in 1936. Helen went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in German literature from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. After graduating college in 1941, she worked for the Home for Little Wanderers, an orphanage in Waterville, Maine, and then served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a radio operator in Seattle, Washington. After her service in the Women’s Reserves (WAVES), she moved back to New England and met Marvin W. Cook, while he was studying at Boston University School of Theology where she worked for the dean. She and Marvin married in 1948 before he was ordained as a United Methodist Church pastor.

Helen led a long and active life, and was a strong supporter of civil rights who always believed in fairness and equality for everyone. Helen worked as an elementary school teacher and social worker, and as a pastor’s wife, she was always involved in her community and the United Methodist Church, during her and Marvin’s active years in Indiana and retirement in Northern Michigan. After her husband’s passing in 1997 she continued on as a faithful member of the Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City, where she received a special mission recognition from the United Methodist Women National Office in December, 2017.

Helen had a real gift for connecting with people from all walks of life. A good judge of character, she did not suffer fools gladly; at the same time, she always thought more about her family and others than she did about herself. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and humanitarian, who will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Helen is survived by her daughter Marvine Stamatakis and son-in-law Stathis; her grandson George Stamatakis, granddaughter-in-law Carrah, and great-grandson Lukas, of San Gabriel, CA; and her grandson Nik Stamatakis of New York, NY.

Memorial Services will be held 11 am, Friday, June 29, 2018 at Central United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends starting at 10 am. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share your thoughts and memories with the family.