Anne Cook

1942 - 2023

CHAMPAIGN - Anne Dighton Cook, 80, of Champaign died Sunday (Feb. 26, 2023).

Ms. Dighton Cook was born June 7, 1942, in Decatur, the daughter of Andrew Jackson Dighton and Elizabeth Marian (DeBoer) Dighton. Ms. Cook attended Creston High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. She studied at the former Monticello College before completing her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University in Evanston. She received her M.S. at Northwestern in English literature.

Born into an established farming family in Monticello, Ms. Cook combined a love of writing and agriculture into a journalism career that spanned nearly four decades. For many years, she covered agriculture and agrarian life and culture as a reporter for the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette. Her reportage ran the gamut: from breaking news delivered on deadline, to feature-length stories and extensive special sections. A versatile writer, Ms. Cook took great pride in crafting catchy, creative "ledes" to draw in her readers.

From her perch in central Illinois, she also covered many of the biggest national stories of the day - from the farming crisis of the 1980s and the passage of the 1985 Farm Bill, to Farm Aid and numerous presidential campaigns and elections, among many other events. Ms. Cook crossed paths with local and national luminaries, interviewing political leaders such as former Sen. Paul Simon, former governors Jim Edgar and James R. Thompson, musicians Billy Joel and Willie Nelson, and many others. Former President George W. Bush once gave Ms. Cook a ride back to her office following a campaign speech.

Among other awards, the Associated Press recognized her for her outstanding farm coverage in Illinois, the Land of Lincoln Soybean Association gave her its Journalist's Distinguished Service award for her coverage of the soybean industry, and the Champaign Soil Land Conservation District gave her its Communications Award.

Later in her reporting career, Ms. Cook covered local schools, relishing the opportunity to dig into educational issues and administration. Her tenure covering schools served her well as an interim home second-grade teacher and tutor for her granddaughter during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An insatiable reader, there seemingly wasn't a book on the shelves Ms. Cook hadn't read. She was a devoted NPR listener, a PBS fan and a lifelong animal lover. A lengthy roster of well-fed, well-loved cats owe their good lives and better fortune to her devoted care. She had a passion for travel and covered much of the U.S. and globe over the years. She especially enjoyed trips to Europe, crisscrossing countries in rental cars and exploring the continent's rich, diverse history and culture. She also loved music and was an accomplished violin player in her youth. Later in life, she was an avid choral singer and longtime member of the alto section in the Community United Church of Christ choir in Champaign. Her greatest passion was for her family and her grandchildren, whom she adored. Nothing pleased her more than sharing meals with friends and family around her large, antique dining table.

She is survived by her twin daughters, Elizabeth (Robert) McMahon of Alexandria, Va., and Sarah (Graham) Edwards of Champaign; and grandchildren, Sarah and Anna McMahon and Emilie and William Edwards. She is also survived by her younger sister, Alice Gunter; nephew, John Gunter; and brother-in-law, Philippe Gunter.

A private burial will take place at Monticello Cemetery with a celebration of her life at a later date.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Animal Hospital of Monticello. Condolences may be sent to the family at mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.