Judith Miller Cook, 78, of Boothbay, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sept. 4 at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor.
She was born in Machias on July 21, 1935, the daughter of the late Fred Royce and Marguerite Beverly Miller. While growing up she attended schools in Portland and was a graduate of Deering High School class of 1953.
After finishing her school she began a family, marrying her husband Phil Cook in 1953. In 1960 the family moved to Boothbay. She would spend the week raising her children and on the weekends she would work as an operator at St. Andrews Hospital. In 1968 she began her career with the school system starting at Boothbay Center School as the school secretary for a few years and then moving on to Boothbay Region Elementary School where she would work until her retirement.
After retiring she was able to travel, some of her most memorable trips were to China, Europe, and destinations across the U.S. Though retired, she stayed busy volunteering her time to the Boothbay Historical Society and sometimes as a reader at the local schools.
She was an avid reader and was able to pass on the gift of reading to all her children and grandchildren. This gave her great pride. She adored her family and was very supportive in all their endeavors. She attended all the sports activities of her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time at McNabbs Tea House with her friends where they spent time working on various projects and catching up with one another. She could always be found knitting mittens and hats that she would donate to local organizations. Her kitchen was a welcoming place for many people throughout the years and she enjoyed people dropping by on game day for a bowl of whatever was on the stove.
As the matriarch of the family, she was proud of all their achievements. The time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren Would bring a smile to her face.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Phil “Buddy” Cook; and brothers, Fred R. Miller Jr., and Robert Miller;
Survivors include children, Cathlene Parkhurst and husband David of Boothbay, Peter R. Cook of Westport, Conn., Michael P. Cook and wife Karen of Boothbay, and Mary Jane Tracy and husband John of South Portland; sister, Beverly Leonard of Bluffton, S.C.; grandchildren, Kate Carpenter, Jordan Parkhurst, Julie Cook, Matthew Cook, Jason Cook, Brittany Cook, Sam Cook, Catherine Tracy, and Brian Tracy; and great-grandchildren, Ava and Sophia Carpenter.
A time of visitation was held Sept. 7 at the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay. A celebration of life followed at the funeral home. Interment was at the Evergreen Cemetery in Boothbay.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Safe Haven Activity Fund, c/o Wendy Wood, 145 Emery Way, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
