PATRICIA (PAT) COOKE (LUKE)

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PATRICIA (PAT) COOKE (nee LUKE) Peacefully, on Monday, November 17, 2014, Pat Cooke passed away at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home at the age of 94 years. She was predeceased by her husband James Luke (1985) and second husband Charles Cooke (1999), her father and mother Harry and Charlotte Oakley, sister Bessie McFarlane, and brothers William and Ernest Oakley. She leaves to cherish her memory; three daughters - Gloria (Glen), Barbara (Warren) and Valerie (Ralph); seven grandchildren - Graham (Nelia), Brenda (Jason), Christine (Kelly), Marnie (Doug), Mark (Laurie), Danielle, Travis (Monica), and nine great-grandchildren. Pat's memory will truly be cherished by her loving sister-in-law, Pamela Oakley, and her family. Pat was raised in St. Boniface and when she married stayed at home to raise her three girls. Later, Pat worked in the Eaton's fabric department (1961 to 1984) where she was well known for her love of fabrics and sewing. She left Eaton's to join her daughter at the Second Cup, St. Vital Centre franchise from 1984 to retirement. There she excelled as a "barista" when coffee-making was still an art. Her finest accomplishment and greatest love, however, was her family. In particular, being the "best grandma ever" was a well-deserved tribute. The memories of her grandchildren will never fade; the tree house at the cabin they built and stayed in overnight, the rickety old raft they built and sailed on Lake Winnipeg, the joys of Christmas at grandma's house and the mountain of gifts that dwarfed the tree, the Easter egg hunts, all the happy weekends at the lake, and on and on. The family would like to sincerely thank the caring staff at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home. They took such good care of Pat. Cremation has taken place and the family will celebrate Pat's life at a private gathering. In lieu of flowers, it would be gratefully appreciated if donations were made in Pat's name to the Alzheimer Society, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2014