Barbara McFaul Cook

04/06/1942 - 12/12/2025

Barbara McFaul Cook died on December 12, 2025 in Easton, Maryland at the age of 83.

Barbara was born in Washington DC on April 6, 1942 to Harry Algire McFaul (Mac) and Ada Charlotte McFaul (Charlotte). She grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland, attending Rolling Terrace Elementary before graduating from Montgomery Blair High School in 1960.

The oldest of three daughters, Barbara inherited her mathematician mother's quiet determination and consummate planning skills. Even as a child she always had a Plan B and a Plan C, just in case they were needed. When her family went sailing (a favorite pastime of her father's), she was always the one watching the weather report and planning alternate routes. After high school, Barbara attended Colby College, where she studied History. Upon graduation in 1964, she moved back to Washington and worked for the federal government for a few years.

In September 1967, she married William Landy Cook III in Annapolis. Together they built a good life, moving to Columbia, Maryland in 1968, just as the new town was being built.

In the Fall of 1975, she followed in the footsteps of her father and grandfather (both Maryland-barred attorneys) and enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Law at night, balancing her studies with caring for three young children. Barbara graduated first in her law school class in 1979, winning numerous awards: the William Strobel Thomas Prize for the highest scholastic average; the William P. Cunningham Award for exceptional achievement and service to the School of Law; the Order of the Coif; and the Judge Morton P. Fisher Memorial Prize for best work in estate and gift taxation.

In May 1979, she was hired as an Assistant County Solicitor for Howard County, Maryland. In 1983, she became Senior Assistant County Solicitor, a position she held until she resigned to enter private practice in 1986.

Within a year, Barbara was appointed the first full-time County Solicitor for Howard County. She was also the first female county attorney in Maryland, and held the position for an unprecedented 20 years. She was built for the job. She loved solving problems, and finding a solution that worked for the greatest common good. You were very unlikely to win a negotiation with Mom. She was patient, fair, and rational - but also indefatigably determined. She would think a problem through from beginning to end, and then start all over again to make sure she hadn't missed anything.

If you met her she would mention none of these accomplishments, and instead would probably want you to talk about yourself for a while.

Following her retirement in 2007, Barbara and Will spent part of their time on the Eastern Shore, splitting their days between Easton/Royal Oak and Columbia. But most of all, they pursued Barbara's lifelong love of travel - to Europe, to Africa, to the Middle East, on river boats closer to home and abroad, and to the wilds of Alaska. Will died before her in November 2021, after 54 years of marriage.

Barbara will be dearly missed by her children Jen Mason (Jason), Landy Cook (Megan), and Susan Cook (Chris Lee); grandchildren Will Cook, Zach Mason, Charlotte Cook, Alexandra Mason, Ben Cook, Claire Lee, and Maddie Lee; and sisters Ellen Swierk (Tom) and Mary Ann Bonos (Tom).

There will be a memorial service for friends and family on January 4 at noon at Historic Oakland Manor in Columbia. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to an organization of your choice. Some options she might have suggested would be Colby College, Adkins Arboretum, or the Talbot Historical Society.