Barbara J Cook's Obituary
Barbara “Babs” Cook was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend during her incredible 93 years of life. She passed away peacefully in her sleep during the late hours of February 22, 2023.
Barbara Joan Cook was born to Alice “Lone” Skinner and Albert F. Soch on November 10,1929. She was delivered by her grandfather in their home located in the Russo building in Fredonia, New York. Barb spent her childhood in Fredonia and graduated from Fredonia Normal school in 1946. She then went on to get her Bachelors from Oklahoma University with a major in education. On one fateful day in Stillwater, Oklahoma she would pull into a gas station to purchase some gas and was greeted by the owner. It was love at first sight, and the rest was history. Barbara married David A. Cook on May 28, 1960 in Ripley, New York. They started their life together in Niagara Falls then would eventually move to Grand Island in 1968.
Barbara was a highly respected teacher for the Niagara school district for 25 years. She passionately taught third grade for most of her teaching career. Every year her favorite tradition she held with her students would be making paper stockings as a class, and surprising them by filling the stockings with three pencils with their name on it and a few other goodies as a gift before the holiday break. She also enjoyed being a member of the school bowling team.
Barbara lived a life full of excitement that was anything but ordinary. She loved to travel internationally with her friend Margaret Klump by her side. Some of her favorite trips included going to New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Italy, and Alaska, where she flew on a helicopter onto a massive glacier. If she wasn’t traveling to different countries, she was traveling the states with her husband Dave. Barb also had a creative spirit and loved the theatre. For many years she would take a trip to the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada to see the Shakespeare plays. As she got older you could find her crafting, painting ceramics, or playing bridge with her friends.
Barbara was also very involved in her community. She was a member of many social clubs, including the College Club of Niagara Falls, Lasalle Yacht Club Women’s Power Squadron and the Niagara Women’s Club. She was very active with the Riverside Presbyterian Church and loved helping them fundraise through their Snowflake Bazaar. Every year she would make her famous pineapple cherry pie to sell and Dave would help count the money. After she retired, she volunteered for years at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in the gift shop. She also loved volunteering at the Clearwater Aquarium in Florida working in their gift shop. Notice a theme here- Barb loved to shop! She and Dave also enjoyed their annual trek to the Strawberry Festival with Tom and Joyce Smith. Their weekly dinners and bridge games with Jim and Gail Foss were also a highlight.
Barbara is survived and missed by her husband Dave of 63 years; and her children Cheryl Bullard and Debra (David) Leone. She will be forever remembered and cherished by her grandchildren Paul Maddox, Kimberly Bullard, Christopher Bullard, John Leone and Rachel Leone. She is also cherished by her great-granddaughter Santana Maddox. In addition to her parents, Barbara is also preceded in death by her brothers John (JoAnn) Soch and James Soch.
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