Opal Gladys Cooks

"I think that shall ask god why, for the rest of my days and even if he explained it to me, never would I come to understand it. With great love comes great loss and with great loss comes great pain. If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever." -Havva Ramadan. I could not have asked for a better woman to be my grandmother. Her life, her wisdom, her love, her gentle, quiet kindness and perky sense of humor have been an inspiration and a blessing to me for 42 years. Our family has had its shares of tribulations and chaos. Through it all, I have always found home with her and Don. Their love and compassion have been a pillar of peace and normalcy through it all and our lives are less without them. Don and Opal taught me what a happy, healthy family is supposed to be... What a healthy, happy home is supposed to be. At one point I didn't know that. That life can be good and wholesome. That good men exist and good women find them. That true love can survive anything. Theirs was a love story for the ages, no fancy bells and whistles, no castle in the sky, just a hard working man with a huge heart and great legs and the sweet, hard working woman who got lucky and found him, her soulmate. She was his Queen. He was her devoted Knight, every day of his life. He built her a house. He gave her children. He gave her diamonds. What a life to aspire to. The greatest thing about my grandmother though, was her kindness. She was the kindest person I have ever known. Don't get me wrong, she was most certainly a Mama Bear, but I do not ever remember a time that she ever raised her voice in anger or had a bad thing to say about anyone, even those she had a reason to speak badly of. Mothering was her love language. I loved trips to grandma's house. Us kids always had a movie and a plate of snacks, we wore the clothes she made by hand, though she didn't have to do so, she had drawers and drawers of fabric, just waiting for when we needed a new dress or shirt or something fun. Dinners at her house were fantastic, she always had a home cooked meal on the table at 5. I will miss that kindness. She loved her grandkids. I am so very blessed to have known that love. In her later years, the years after grandpa... She stayed that same wonderful, kind woman. She had a quiet dignity about her, even at the end when you could see how tired she was. She was ready. I wish I could have been there to see her and Grandpa find one another again... Goodbye Grandma, I will miss you for the rest of my days. Your love is etched forever upon my heart and I carry your song within my soul. It has been an pleasure and an honor to know you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being. Blessed Be.

Dear Vicki, Luanne and Jill,
I am so sorry to hear and read about the loss of your wonderful mother, Opal. I was just thinking about her. She was an absolute dear. Greg and I sold her beloved cabin in Nevada City for her just before she moved to Boise. Opal and I enjoyed sipping many an ice tea on her deck surrounded by her magical woods and her interesting life experiences. She was a "soul sparkle lady," very compassionate and wonderfully wise. I will always hold Opal dear to my heart. Our deepest sympathies to you three daughters and all her grandchildren. Opal Cooks, a truly wonderful woman!
Karen and Greg Sharp

My Mother, friend and example. I can't put into words how I feel. I hope hope hope that our faith and hope will be realized and that I'll be with her in the eternities.