Amy Cook Lurvey

Amy Cook Lurvey 90, an advocate and volunteer who spent her entire adult life working on behalf of children and people with disabilities, died peacefully in her home on December 12. She was born March 8, 1917 in Indianapolis to Miriam (Barrett) and Max Gellman, and graduated from Shortridge High School, where she made history when she was the first girl named to the boys' debate team. Her older brother offered her $2000 to attend his alma mater, Indiana University, or take a trip around the world. She chose IU and graduated with a degree in speech and hearing in 1939. That was where she met David M. Cook who graduated from the law school the same year. She was hired as the first speech and hearing therapist in a special education department for IPS in 1939. When David received a raise from $25 to $35 weekly in 1940, they married. They made their home in Indianapolis, where David worked as a partner with McHale Cook and Welch, and they raised their family of four: Frank M. Cook (Myra), Sally A. Cook, Mary B. Cook Nocon (Jim) and Daniel M. Cook, all of Indianapolis, who survive her. She was preceded in death by David, who died on December 19, 1967. In 1973 she married Leonard Lurvey, who also preceded her in death. His children, David Lurvey and Diane Lurvey, both of Indianapolis, Karen Lurvey of Columbus, OH, Paula Lurvey of Ventura, CA and Ellen Maxwell, also survive her. Though she worked as a speech and hearing therapist as an early adult, it was her volunteer work spanning more than 60 years for which she was most well known. She began that career as a volunteer lobbyist for the PTA, first locally and then statewide. Her understanding of and passion for the Indianapolis Public School system prompted her to run for the IPS Board of Education in 1963; she lost that election to Senator Richard M. Lugar who, upon winning the seat, called her and took her to lunch so he could learn what he could about IPS and education from Amy. She was a big picture thinker but did whatever it took to get the job done. When she was working to bring the Head Start Program to Indianapolis in the early 1960s, she did her research and learned that rental value of donated space would count as local dollars to earn matching federal funds. Soon she was working in the inner city, measuring rooms in every school that would serve as a site for the program, so she could help secure money for the program. For thirty years (1969-1999) she led the Council of Volunteers and Organizations for Hoosiers with Disabilities (COVOH) giving her time and talent to a cause that was central to her life: the welfare of children and adults with disabilities. She was a fixture at the Indiana General Assembly for more than 40 years and was regarded as one of the state's leading advocates for disabilityeducation matters. A special point of pride for her was the work she did in 1999 to create a joint relationship between Indiana University and Purdue University for the purpose of establishing spinal cord and head injury research and treatment centers. Her hard work also helped the program gain a $2 million appropriation from the General Assembly in 1999 and 2000. Her many awards included "Outstanding Volunteer" presented by Governor and the State Commission for the Handicapped, Outstanding Leadership and Service from COVOH. She was in the first class of Jefferson Awards for Community Service, a statewide recognition program created by the Indianapolis Star in 1977. A lifetime member of the NAACP, she was also active in the Indiana Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and received its 2005 Founders Award. She received a Sagamore of the Wabash designation from Governor Frank O'Bannon. She was proud of her Jewish heritage and took an active part in organizations such as the National Council of Jewish Women throughout her life. From 1955-57, she served as president of Jewish Social Services. She received an award from the United Jewish Appeal for distinguished leadership and dedication as a campaign chair of the women's division and was the co-chair of the 1959 Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis campaign. In 1992, she received the Ivan Chalfie award for service to the Jewish and general community, presented by the Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis. Following the death of her husband, David Cook, she established a family foundation in his name. In addition to her children, she is survived by her sister, Sylvia Bess of Valparaiso, her grandchildren, Jacqui Cook, David Cook, Jon Sider, Micah Cook, Benjamin Sider, Abby Nocon, Jesse Nocon, Ed Abel, Michelle Abel, Matthew Abel, Danielle Shane, and her great-grandchildren, Ian Chester, Lucas Chester and Cailyn Nix. Services will be Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at Indiana Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian, with burial at IHC Southside Cemetery. Friends and family will gather following services at the home of Sally Cook, 961 Woodruff Place East, and on Monday and Tuesday evenings at the home of Mary Cook Nocon, 1949 Huckleberry. Memorial contributions may be made to United Way or Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis. Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary.