Cheryl M. Cook

On Tuesday, August 28, 2018, Cheryl Martha (Martin) Cook, loving wife and mother, passed gently away in her home surrounded by her family at the age of 72. Cheryl was born on September 1, 1945 in Brattleboro, VT to Winchester and Sybil (Ellis) Martin. On June 20, 1964 she married her high school sweetheart, Theodore L. Cook and they have faithfully remained by each other's side for 54 years. Cheryl enjoyed managing a small cheese shop and lunch counter and was a volunteer social worker serving as a mentor to unwed teen mothers. She also worked as a LNA at Linden Lodge Nursing Home for close to 20 years. She had an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and had been active in church for many years and she loved being a Sunday school teacher. Cheryl deeply loved her brothers and sisters, and was totally devoted to her family. She always set time aside to make special memories with each of her children and grandchildren. She truly enjoyed the simple things in life and encouraged others to do the same. Some of her favorite things were soft serve ice cream, maple candy, wildflowers and her face always lit up whenever a child handed her a handpicked dandelion. Some of her precious treasures included homemade gifts and cards, her family Bible which she stuffed with little glimpses of her life, books that she'd "pass on" to others and momentos from her various "adventures". She loved walking on the beach in Maine and was often caught just gazing up at the beauty of the sky. Cheryl impacted many lives teaching them not just with her words but by her actions. She always rooted for the underdog and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. Cheryl was preceded in death by her father, Winchester, her mother, Sybil, her sister Mary and her brothers, Butch and Preston Martin. She is survived by her husband, Theodore Lee Cook and their children, Laura (Cook) Rowe and her husband Hank, Ellen (Cook) Moore and her husband Michael, Brian Cook and his wife Diana, and Ernest Holder. She is also survived by her siblings, Kit Martin, Deborah Johnson, Cindy Martin and Carlotta Woodruff as well as her grandchildren Beau Holder, Steven Holder, Katelynn (Cook) Slack, Shannon (Cook) Carpentino, Benjamin Cook and Christian Cook, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A simple graveside service for family and friends will be officiated by Pastor Pete Millette from West Townsend Calvary Chapel on Sunday, September 2nd at 2 pm at the West Cemetery on Route 35 in Athens, VT. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to www.phaneuf.net