Margaret Saladino Cook

Margaret Saladino Cook, 90

Margaret S. Cook, 90, passed away at home in Lafayette, Thursday, March 28, 2013, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born in Calatafimi, Sicily (Italy) Feb. 5, 1923, and was the first child of Giovanna (Pisano) and Giovanni Saladino, who immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, when she was 7 months old. Her father and 2 uncles were concrete masons and helped construct many of New York City's famous landmarks, such as the Empire State Building, in the 1920's and 30's. She graduated from East New York Vocational High School and worked in the dressmaking business until she married Woodrow W. Cook, a young east Tennessee Army soldier in 1943. They recently passed their seventieth wedding anniversary milestone on March 26.

In 1985, Margaret retired from Purdue University where she was employed for 25 years, with her final 18 years as housekeeping supervisor at Grad House West. She was an expert seamstress and loved to sing and listen to music, enjoyed gardening, reading and cooking. She diligently read through the entire Bible every year and always shared her faith in God with everyone she talked to. She was a member of Mulberry Baptist Church and taught Sunday school. She was greatly loved by her husband, Woodrow W. Cook, who took care of her the past 10 years at home. Her passing leaves an empty place in the hearts of her five children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren who will miss her smile, encouragement and loving spirit.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Woodrow W. Cook, of Lafayette; son, Tom Cook and wife, Lorie (Garriott) of Lafayette; grandchildren, Wes Cook and Marcie (Cook) Kuhlman and husband Justin Kuhlman; great-granddaughters, Lacie and Baylee Kuhlman of Lafayette; son, Robert Cook and wife, Ellen (Snuffer) of Bahama, N.C.; son, John Cook and Willina Owens of Mitchell; daughter, Johanna (Cook) Hostetter and husband, Mark Hostetter of Talbott, Tenn.; daughter, Rebecca (Cook) Miller and husband, J.D. Miller of Nicholasville, Ky.; granddaughter, Kelly (Cook) Pendergraft and husband Keith Pendergraft; great-granddaughter, Lydia Pendergraft of Durham, N.C.; grandson, Kip Cook and wife Melissa Cook and twin great-grandsons, Gavin and Peyton Cook of Raleigh, N.C.; granddaughter, Cheryl (Smith) Dortch and husband, Christ Dortch and great-grandson, Carson Dortch of Mooresville, N.C.; grandson, Jared Richey, granddaughter, Margo (Richey) Young and great-granddaughter, Skylar Young and great-grandson, Kirk Young of Lexington, Ky.; granddaughter, Patricia (Smith) Statzer and husband, Whit Statzer; great-granddaughters, Grace and Callie Statzer of Nicholasville, Ky.; other family survivors include Margaret Farruggio, cousin, of Hampstead, N.Y.; and close nephew, Ralph and Karon Cook of Delphi.

Family will be receiving friends and family at Genda Funeral Home-Rossville Chapel (formerly Bodine Funeral Home), 450 N. State Road 39, Rossville, IN, on Monday, April 1, from 6- 8 p.m. Rev. Jesse Buell, former pastor of Creasy Lane Baptist Church, will officiate a commemoration service on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.