Mary Ellen Cook

MARY ELLEN COOK, age 94, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025.
She was born on March 14, 1931, in Buchanan County, Virginia, the daughter of Carrie and Robert Viars, with a proud Cherokee lineage. She had 5 brothers: Leck, Jessie, Dewey, Lewis, and Glaspie, and 2 sisters: Irene and Francis.
She relocated to Ohio and started her own restaurant business while raising her 3 children. She later became employed at the Federal Glass Company from which she retired in 1979. After retirement, she worked as a compassionate home health aide for many years, developing strong relationships with the families she served.
Mary was a beloved grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, and she was adored by all who knew her.
She was an exceptional seamstress, fantastic cook, and was an expert at removing any stubborn stain you may get on your clothing. She loved to go to garage sales and always brought back treasures for her grandchildren. She hosted numerous large holiday dinners and made many elaborate Halloween costumes on request. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her great-grandchildren during which she spent countless hours making crafts, coloring, gardening, and baking scrumptious treats including the very best brownies you've ever tasted!
She was a classy lady who always made sure she was dressed stylishly, and every hair was in place with the help of many cans of Aqua Net hair spray! Most of all she loved her Lord Jesus and took her grandchildren to church as much as she could.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Deborah Collier, daughter-in-law Teresa "Mouse" West, daughter-in-law Francis Collier, son-in-law Richard Collier, and grandson Jason West.
She is survived by her sons, Gary and Terry West; her grandchildren, Gary West II, Ivan (Sarah) West, Heather (Shaun) Hopkins, Melanie (David) Heery, Angela (David) Cummings and Timothy West; great-grandchildren, Gary West III, Savannah West, Jaslyn (Dylan) Tompkins, Jaelyn (Jordan) Garrettson, Jonathan and James Jarman, Ivan II and Colin West, Gavin Weber, Bryce Harris, Rylee, and Reagan Deem; and great-great-grandchildren, Gabriel West, Jedi, Jaxx, and Julienna Garrettson.
A Celebration of Life gathering and meal will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 18, 2025 located at the Hopkins residence. All family and friends are welcome!
Private arrangements by COOK & SON - PALLAY FUNERAL HOME.
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