CAPE ELIZABETH — Mary Flanders (“Nanny”) Cook, 84, of Cape Elizabeth, died Dec. 17 at her home, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with cancer.

Cook was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on April 1, 1930, to Robert and Mary Flanders.

She attended Miss Porter’s School, in Connecticut, from 1944-1946. At age 16, she entered Bradford Junior College, in Massachusetts, and graduated in 1948. She then attended Rollins College, in Florida, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and graduated in 1950.

In 1958, she met Bert H. Cook Jr., and the couple married the following year. They soon moved to Cape Elizabeth, where they raised their four children.

Mary was actively involved in neighborhood and community activities. In 1964, she was the first founding secretary of Greater Portland Landmarks. She also was a member and president of the Cape Elizabeth Knollwood Garden Club, a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of New Hampshire, a longtime member of The Junior League, and an active volunteer at State Street Church.

She and her husband were also members of the Purpoodock Club, the Portland Country Club and the Cumberland Club. She enjoyed travel, tennis, golf, bridge, socializing with friends, and most of all, her family.

Advertisement

She was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Robert Flanders and Charles Flanders; and her sister, Gretchen Nault.

Cook is survived by her husband of nearly 56 years, Bert; daughter, Mary Cook-Timm, husband Jeffrey Timm and their two daughters, Ali and Meghan McClure; son, Bert Cook, wife Karen and their three children, Brittany, Stephen and Cassie; son, Geoffrey Cook, wife Lindy and their four children, Sarah, Abbey, Mikaela and Garrett; and daughter, Elizabeth Coleman, husband Mark and their three children, Carley, Mary and Mark.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Cook’s life at State Street Church at noon, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Development Office, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102.

Sidebar Elements


Cook


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.