Alice Irene Cook

POTTSTOWN, PA - Alice Irene Cook, 89, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026 at her daughter's home. She was born October 27, 1936 in Fowler Township, OH, the daughter of Ward and Leola "Jenny" (Evans) Trumbull. She lived many places including Cincinnati and Warren, Ohio, St. Louis, Missouri, New York City, and Ashtabula, Ohio. In 2017 she moved to Pennsylvania. She graduated High School and then earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Kent State University and later her Master's Degree in Special Education from Fordham University. On August 17, 1958, she married John Alan Shilling and together they shared two amazing children, Mary Alice and Stephen, before they parted ways. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a Special Education Teacher with Happy Hearts School in Ashtabula, Ohio for many years where her passion for her students was unmatched. On March 5, 1989, she married Joseph Cook III and she supported him in his many endeavors and activities in Ashtabula until his passing in 2004. Always interested in making a difference in her community, Alice served as the Ward 3 Councilperson for the City of Ashtabula from December 1, 2013 to December 21, 2016. She was a former member of the Second Congregational Church. In her spare time, she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She will always be remembered for her compassion for people in need. She would run errands or drive someone to wherever they needed to go. And, she enjoyed having meals with her friends. Her favorite restaurant was Lakeway Diner in Ashtabula, Ohio. Her survivors include her children, Mary Alice Beutler of Pottstown, PA, and Stephen Shilling of Collegeville, PA; and her granddaughter, Brittany Ann (Brayden) Sherman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Cook III,; her former husband and the father of her children, John Alan Shilling on January 10, 2024; her six siblings; and her parents.
Services will be held at a later date before she is laid to rest next to her husband, Joe Cook, in Edgewood Cemetery.
Contributions in Alice T. Cook memory may be made to AseraCare Hospice (Checks can be written to Amedisys Foundation and mailed to 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816.) or to Alzheimer's Association at alz.org
Zaback-William-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula, Ohio is in charge of arrangements. Online obituary and guest book can be found at www.ducro.com.