Marie A. Cook

1932 - 2025

Marie Antoinette (Rua) Cook, 93, of West Leechburg, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at Canterbury Family Hospice in Lawrenceville. A daughter of the late James Rua and Christina (Vota) Rua, she was born on May 27, 1932, in West Leechburg, where she lived her entire life. Marie was a 1950 graduate of Leechburg High School and continued her education at the New Kensington Business School. She was a hard worker professionally and at home, with her first employment in the Registry of Wills at the Greensburg Courthouse. She also worked as a typist and notary public for a few insurance agencies in Leechburg and newspapers (Buttermilk Falls and Tribune-Review) throughout the years. Her longest tenure was as a medical records clerk at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights for 21 years before retirement. Marie was a member of Christ the King Parish in Gilpin Township and the former St. Catherine Roman Catholic Church in Leechburg. She loved her family and spending quality time with them especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed music (piano/violin), oil painting (received many awards for her paintings), flower gardening (roses), photography, cooking, and traveling. A favorite pastime of hers was holding her cat and feeding the wild animals. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Kenneth V. Cook of West Leechburg; a daughter, Darlene Smith (Robert) of Brackenridge; and two grandchildren, Christina and Nicholas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia E. (Cook) Venturini; a grandson, Justin J. Hancock; and a brother, Joseph J. Rua. All arrangements were private and entrusted to CLAWSON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CENTER, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051. Condolences to the Cook family may be offered at www.clawsonfuneralhome.com.