Catherine Cook

Catherine R. Cook NORFOLK - Catherine R. "Toni" Cook, 72, a longtime resident of Ocean View, passed away Nov. 10, 2008, at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center. Although a native of Philadelphia, Toni, as she was known by all who loved her, had called Ocean View home for the past 40 years. She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and volunteered as a teacher for Holy Trinity School. She retired from a career as a real estate agent for Bee Realty after nearly 20 years of service. Fiercely proud of being Italian, she actively passed on the traits of her heritage to her family and friends and was renowned for her prowess in the kitchen! She was beloved and respected for her generosity, grace, tenacious courage and unyielding concern for the plight of others. A two-time cancer survivor, she was often called upon to counsel and offer support to cancer victims and their families, and volunteered for the American Cancer Society. In 1973, she became one of the first Navy wives ombudsmen and served for years as a dedicated Little League team mother. Never one to turn away any creature in need, she actively volunteered for and supported the SPCA and Humane Society. It was not uncommon for her to stop traffic to save an animal or to discover strays left on the front porch, knowing that Toni would see to their well-being. Her spirit lives on in her husband, Dick Cook, of Norfolk; mother, Theresa O'Dorisio, also of Norfolk; her daughter, Gina Maria Cook of Atlanta; her son, Aldo Anthony Cook, his wife and beloved "Second daughter," Terri Anne Cook, and grandsons Nicholas Alan Cook and Robert Conner Cook, all of Virginia Beach. A funeral Mass will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. in Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Ron Naylor officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Norfolk SPCA or Humane Society.