Gayle Anita Cook

Gayle Anita Cook of Bellingham, WA, passed away unexpectedly on May 8, 2023. She was born on April 17, 1939 in Spokane, WA to Edith (Wilson) and Kenneth Balcom and grew up in Spokane Valley and Newport, WA. Gayle graduated from Newport High School in 1957 and then moved to Spokane to work in banking.

At a grange dance in 1960 Gayle met the love of her life, Edward Cook, also of Spokane. She gave up moving to Alaska in order to be with him, and they were married on December 2, 1960. Over the next 20 years, Ed and Gayle lived in Yakima, WA; Baker, OR; Wenatchee, WA; Vancouver, WA; Tucson, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; and back up to Vancouver, WA.

Creating a happy home and raising four children was her main career. She jumped into whatever role was needed: Girl Scout leader, Team Mother for Little League, seamstress, costumer, fan, spectator, chauffeur and, due to her energetic children, an amateur EMT.

In 2000, Ed and Gayle moved to Ocean Park, WA, to enjoy their retirement at the beach. She loved attending the countless games, performances, and shows of her grandchildren across the country, and she always looked forward to her yearly trips to Vegas.

In 2010, Ed and Gayle relocated to Bellingham to be near their daughter’s family. This allowed Gayle to spend time playing cards, and playing a more active role in the lives of her grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren.

Gayle was a long-time bowler, avid reader, and expressed her artistic side with drawing, painting, photography, and quilting.

She was a mother to four and mom to many. All found a warm, welcoming home with food, a bed, and a listening ear whenever needed, whether niece, nephew, cousin, grandchild, or friend of children and grandchildren.

Gayle was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ed, her daughter Shelly Cook in 1983, daughters-in-law Terese Cook in 2010 and Lisa Cook in 2018, and brothers Tom in 2003 and John in 2013. She is survived by sons Greg and Gary Cook, daughter Lynda (John) Purdie, eight grandchildren: Joshua Cook, Travis (Kelsey) Cook, Katelyn (Dave) Kelly, Amanda Cook, Jacob Cook, Michelle (Kolton) Griffiths, Brianna (Lane) Reddick, and Marina Purdie, four great-grandchildren, brothers Charles “Skip” and Barney Balcom, and sisters Susan Hughes and Janet Jannsen.

In honor of Grandma Cook, donations can be made to provide financial assistance to high school students participating in summer musical theatre opportunities. Please note "Grandma Cook Scholarship Fund" www.squalicummusicaltheatre.org/donate .

A graveside service will take place Friday, May 26th 11:00am at Northwood Park Cemetery, 16407 NE 15th Ave. Ridgefield, WA. A Celebration of Life will follow the next day, May 27th at 2:00pm at Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA.