Barbara A. Cook 1945-2025

Born on Aug. 5, 1945, in Youngstown and raised in Canfield, Barbara was the cherished daughter of the late Robert A. Sr. and Bessie Spellman Cook. Barbara was an adored sister to Ron and the late Bob Cook. The trio grew up and lived their lives with laughter, love and enduring friendship. Ron will miss their daily phone calls immensely.

Barbara was a bonus sister to Linda (Risberg) Cook, Susan (Yarrow) Cook and Patti Jean (Blott) and Don Nelson.

She was a gentle and loving cat mom to many four-legged, furry friends throughout her life.

She was an ever-present, loving aunt to Heather (Brian) Mann, Holly (Lyle) Wolf, Robert (Nicole) Cook, Kathleen (Scott) Mulvehill, Jonathan (Julie) Cook, Rebecca (Chris) Day and Jason (Nancy) Cook. Barbara loved being known as a “great” aunt to Brenton (Mandy) Mann, Taylor (Clint) Ansell, Sydney (Chris) Fox, Jordan Mann, Mitch (Kylie) Mulvehill, Karl Mulvehill, Zac and Elly Cook, Colin and Cara Wolf, Christian, Amelia, Aidan, Ashley Cook and Ethan Day. She also reached the status of “great-great” aunt to Alex, Andrew, Camden, Dallas, Emmalynn, Jameson and Lillian.

Barbara also will be missed by many lifelong friends and neighbors. Family, by blood or by choice, meant everything to her.

Teaching children was a passion and source of happiness for Barbara. She dedicated 30 years teaching elementary school to the community of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools in Michigan. She was honored and beamed with pride when she found herself teaching children of her former students. She believed in the power of a good education and provided that, along with a lot of love, to each child that walked through her door.

In retirement, Barbara felt truly blessed to return to her roots and bought her first house in Sevakeen Country Club. The entire Cook family spent summers in Sevakeen for many, many years, dating back to 1952. Barbara was active in the community and enjoyed driving her golf cart down to the lake waving to everyone she passed. Sevakeen offered her a connection to the past and peace in the present. Connections also were visible in her reiki healing and spiritual heart.

Barbara was a truly multifaceted gem — unique, precious and one of a kind.

Family and friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 11 am.

Donations in Barbara’s honor can be made to westsidecats.org.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences to the family.

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