Leila Marie Cook

Leila Marie Cook, 81, of Marion, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends. Born on August 20, 1944, in Marion, Ohio, to Chester and Jewel Taylor, Leila grew up as one of seven children.

Leila enjoyed shopping, gardening, cooking, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. She adored her family. Her love of home décor, holiday traditions, and gathering loved ones together became a defining part of her legacy. Her homes were always warm, clean, stylish, and thoughtfully arranged. Leila spent most of her working years in marketing and advertising with WMRN. Her warmth, sense of humor, professionalism, and personable nature made her well known throughout the Marion community. Most recently she worked in nutrition services at Kingston Residence of Marion where she made wonderful relationships with residents and coworkers alike. Even in retirement, she spoke daily of her friends from Kingston.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her children: Kelley (George) Appleby, Justin (Stacy) Hamper, and Matthew (Christel) Hamper. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren (Kelley: Michelle, David, Abigail, and Bradley; Justin: Leyton, Avery, and Macy; Matthew: Treg, Dylan, Breanna, and Taylor) and great grandchildren (Rhys, Riley, Dylan, Cohen, Eden, Norah, Asher, Griffin, Adelyn, Kyleigh, Mallory, Mason, Rosalynn, Eliza, and Jace,). Leila is also survived by her brother Patrick (Carole) Taylor, her sister Pamela Daniel as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Her family is planning to gather family and friends for a celebration of life on a later date.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Marion Pointe Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation as well as OhioHealth Marion General Hospital for the genuine care and compassion that was provided.