Mrs. Rosemarie Toth Cook

Rosemarie Toth Cook died at her home on Monday, November 22, 2011 after a short illness. She was born in South Bend, Indiana on January 11th, 1931. Rosemarie received a Masters degree in education from Indiana University and taught school in Calumet City, Illinois. She met her future husband, Dr. Robert Lee Cook at a Notre Dame social event. They married and moved to Durham, N.C. for Bob's work at Duke University prior to moving to Starkville in 1970. For 30 years, she owned and operated a popular thrift shop featuring furniture and costumes. Rosemarie was also an avid collector and started a local Collector's Club to showcase collections. Rosemarie Cook was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Starkville and a member of the St. Joseph Ladies Luncheon Group. She was also actively involved with the Starkville AARP, MSU Women's Club, Starkville Newcomers Club and the Starkville Senior Center. Rosemarie was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Karolina Toth. and in 2007 by her husband of 41 years, Dr. Robert Lee Cook, a former research professor at Mississippi State University. She is survived by her son Robert Holloway Cook of Atlanta and daughter Constance (Connie) and husband Kevin Willsey and two grandsons, Holloway and Harrison of Starkville. In the Seattle, Washington and Whidbey Island area, she is survived by her brother, Alex Toth and wife Barbara, nephew Charlie Toth and nieces Melissa Robinson, Janet Backman, Patti Stone, Jennifer Henning and their families. She is also survived by her sister, Irene and husband Joseph Csiszar of South Bend, Indiana along with niece Lynne and Bart Carey of Granger, Indiana and their sons Taylor and Andrew. Other close family includes Rosemarie's brother in law, Bill Clark of Hollywood, Florida with niece Michele and husband Gus Selimos of Plantation, Florida, and great nephews Matthew and Ryan, niece Melissa and husband Joseph Clendenin with children Kyle and Christian, nephew Timothy and wife Rachel Clark and nephew Daniel Clark. Visitation for Rosemarie is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 28th, 2011 from 9-11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Starkville, with a "Celebration of Life" Mass immediately following. The Mass will be celebrated by Father John Bohn. Memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolence Fund of St. Joseph Catholic Church at 607 University Drive in Starkville, Mississippi