COOKE, Michele Moore Age 59, of Lexington formerly of Stoneham, passed away March 14, 2018, surrounded by her family. Michele always advocated for others. As a high school student at Our Lady of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield ('76), her "revolt against unfair school rules""got her transferred to Stoneham High ('76). She earned a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Northeastern University and a certificate in Early Childhood Education. She managed the law office of Manzi & McCann for three years before founding The Child Care Institute in 1985 to train and refer nannies. She married David Cooke in 1991, and they settled in Lexington to raise two sons, while being introduced to the family ranch in west Texas.

Michele's second small business was "Great Explorations", which provided creative home day care. After learning about the high-stress environment at Lexington High School, she joined a group of citizens to found Lexington Youth and Family Services that provides free and anonymous services to students. When cancer was discovered in 2014, she researched her own illness and logged over 100 Angel Flights to Long Island for treatments that extended her life years longer than doctors predicted.

Daughter of Doreen (Stowe) Moore and the late John Moore Sr.; wife of David Cooke; mother of James and Stephen; sister of Judi Stuer-Moore (Richard); brothers Michael, Joel and Jonathan (Robin) and aunt of Kaatje and Jonathan.

A life-long Christian, her memorial service will be held at Hancock United Church of Christ, 1912 Mass. Ave., Lexington, Saturday, March 24 at 2 P.M. followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michelle's name may be sent to Hancock Church (http://www.hancockchurch.org/), Lexington Youth and Family Services (http://www.lyfsinc.org/) or Angel Flights Northeast (http://www.angelflightne.org/).

Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home

781-438-0135

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Mar. 17 to Mar. 19, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for MICHELE COOKE

10 Entries

September 16, 2018

My sincere condolences to the family upon your loss of Michelle. I was a year behind Michelle at OLN. I do remember her, though. While the rest of us were shaking in our boots - albeit given the good amount our parent's were paying for our tuition - Michelle would speak up with confidence in her convictions. It sounds like she has continued to be a remarkable person throughout her life. Blessings.

John and Family Caples

March 24, 2018

Our deepest sympathies go out the entire family. Michele battled her disease as a true warrior but still managed to care for her family! She can finally rest no that her battle is over. Leaving behind a legacy in her boys; Stephen has been a great friend to our son John. Michele was a wonderful mom and devoted advocate for her sons and their friends. Her door was always open to the "boys"! She will be remembered for the love and inspiration she valued so dearly. In love and sympathy, Ginny, Sean, Dylan, and John Caples

MARCIA and Anje LEE

March 24, 2018

Our deepest condolances for the loss of Michele, your beloved family member. She was an exceptional human being. Her love and legacy lives on in all those whose lives she touched with her kindness, generousity, and her caring spirit.

Sandra Cox

March 19, 2018

Dear Mike and the Moore and Cooke Family,
My deepest condolences to you and your family for the lost of your (Sister, Mother, Daughter, Aunt and Friend), she may be gone from here but never forgotten, she will always be there with in spirit, it's always hard to losing someone dear and close to you, stay strong, keep on and never forgot the times together.

Marcia Campbell

March 19, 2018

Dear Cooke and Moore Families: Sending our heartfelt condolences at this sad time. Michele was a wonderful person and our lives are better because she was in them. Love, Marcia Campbell and Colby Harlow.

Diane Bernazzani

March 18, 2018

Dear Michael and the Moore and Cooke Families,

My sincerest condolences to all of you for the loss of Michele who fought a brave battle against cancer. May fond memories of Michele bring you comfort at this time of sorrow.

With deepest sympathy,
Diane & Bob Bernazzani and Family

Holly Baylies

March 18, 2018

Dear Michele,
I did not know you well, I was friends with your mother. You were 12 when I first met you. But I found you were a brilliant caring woman who when you saw wrongs or injustice stepped up to challenge what needed to be changed. I saw your struggle to make your life the best it could be when your Doctors gave up.I saw your struggle to embrace this life and the hardships your cancer imposed. I saw your courage and perseverance to remain hopeful and optimistic, when there was nothing more science could do. I saw the love of your family who fought with you to the end.Now may you rest in God's love, knowing just how much you were loved.
Always Holly

Robin & Jonathan Moore

March 18, 2018

To my dearest family and friends, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998