May Iona Cook's Obituary
Services will be held at Plymouth Presbyterian Church in St. Helens on Friday, March 25 at 1:00 pm. Reception will follow at the church. Private burial will take place earlier in the day.
May I. Cook was born, May Iona Housley on February 11, 1919 in Freedom Nebraska. She was the daughter of William Asbury Housley and Della Irene Wymore Housley. The family moved to the St. Helens area when she was 6 years old. May is a graduate of St. Helens High School.
She married Harold Hal William Cook on November 23, 1943 in Columbia, South Carolina where Hal was serving in the military. They had met while working for St. Helens Pulp and Paper Company, now named Bemis Company. Hal and May were married for almost 58 years prior to Hal's death in 2001.
May passed away in Bremerton, Washington on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the age of 92 years. She had been living in an adult family home near her daughter, Linda Schneider, in Bremerton for the last several years.
May was a homemaker when her children were young. She later worked for the J.C. Penney store in St. Helens. She retired when her husband, Hal, retired so they could spend time together going on trips, relaxing together and enjoying their family.
Her husband, Hal, played the organ and led the choir at the First Methodist Church for many years where May and their children often sang in the choir. May had many interests and hobbies which included baking, stitchery and family. She was involved with her children's activities, including being a Den Mother for Harold's scout troop.
May was preceded in death by her husband, Harold W. Cook, Sr., her parents William and Della Housley, her sister Faye Tarbell, and brother Lyle who died in infancy.
She is survived by her son Harold Susan, daughter Linda Schneider Joe, four grandchildren Brett Isabel Schneider, Melissa TJ Calbat, Brandon Tara Schneider and Brian engaged to Maile Bliss Schneider, seven great-grandchildren: Cody, Hailey, Autumn, Hannah, Teagan, Ethan and Elle…and baby Joey is due in May. She is also survived by 21 nieces and nephews and their families.
Remembrances can be made to American Cancer Society, Columbia County Fair or a charity of your choice.
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