Gwenzora C. Cooke

10/03/1927 – 01/30/2013
Gwen died peacefully at home at the age of 85 on January 30, 2013. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her focus was on helping her family and friends as well as enjoying each day to the fullest. A private service will be conducted by Pastor Sharon Swanson, Faith Lutheran Church, and Gwen’s ashes will be scattered at sea. Gwenzora (Gwen) was born to Orlen R. Crawford and Mary Helen Matlock Crawford and grew up in West Jefferson, Ohio where she graduated from West Jefferson High School. While attending The Ohio State University, she met and later married her beloved husband, Jim, in 1947. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. She leaves children: James Crawford Cooke, Carlene Cooke Ramsey (Brian Rod Globerman), Terrance William Cooke and Catherine Cooke. She also leaves grandchildren: Salina Kate Ramsey Kelly (David Orace Kelly), Rita Marie Ramsey, Lucas Colin Ramsey, Christy Lynn Cooke Acero (Nicolas Acero); great grandchild, Patrick Crawford Kelly; and numerous loving nieces and nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Joan Crawford Hendricks and nephews Calvin Robert Cooke and Timothy Thomas Cooke. Gwen earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from The Ohio State University. Lifelong Buckeye fans, Gwen and Jim never missed a game they could attend or view. Throughout the years, they traveled extensively in all fifty states and internationally. They sailed on lakes, rivers and oceans around the world where they enjoyed visiting new places, family and friends. While earning her master and doctoral degrees at The Ohio State University, Gwen was Professor of the Department of Home Economics at Ashland College in Ohio and served as Interim Head. A consummate professional, Gwen devoted her career to the field of education. In 1973 Gwen and Jim moved to California where she was Chair of the Department of Home Economics at California State University-Fresno and later Director of the School of Family Studies and Consumer Sciences at San Diego State University. She was National President of Omicron Nu Honor Society, President of the National Council of Administrators of Home Economics, President of the California Home Economics Association and Vice President of the American Home Economics Association. In these positions she was a mentor and role model for countless students and colleagues who valued her support, “go for it” attitude, enthusiasm and caring ways. Throughout her career, Gwen won a number of awards and honors. She was selected as an Outstanding Woman in Education by Alpha Delta Kappa and one of the 100 people who made major contributions to the home economics profession in the College of Human Ecology at The Ohio State University. She was a founding member at San Diego State University of the Delta Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta, an honor society for international students. During her extensive career, she had many publications and served as the review editor in her field of study. She was the recipient and principal investigator for research grants and wrote articles for major national publications. She retired from San Diego State University as Professor Emeritus in 1992 after serving 35 years in education. Her honors, publications, research and her work with students were stellar academic achievements. Committed to philanthropy and community service, Gwen helped establish a new Whatcom County Chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization, was a member of the Whatcom Museum Guild, and with her husband established a scholarship at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Her family, friends and colleagues knew Gwen as a remarkable and creative person. Friends and her beloved family were always welcome in Gwen’s home where they enjoyed her sunny disposition and zest for life. She will always be remembered for her warm smile, friendliness, initiative, willingness to go the extra mile, spunkiness and generosity. Her integrity, curiosity and extraordinary joy of life were valued by all who were touched by her. Gwen’s legacy reflects the life of a woman who generously gave of her talents, loved her family, enjoyed deep friendships and lived an energetic life full of gratitude for all she had been given. Memorials may be made to the Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care of Whatcom, the Hospice Foundation, both located at 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225, or to the WWU Dr. Gwen Cooke Memorial Scholarship Fund.