Barbara Cook

East Lyme — Barbara (Wainwright) Cook, 94 of Niantic and Havre de Grace, Md., died peacefully at home in Niantic, Saturday, June 2, 2018, while surrounded by her family.

Barbara was born in New London, on Nov. 21, 1923, the daughter of William and Gladys (Bailey) Wainwright.

She was predeceased by her husband, Emery Chase Cook; her son, John Emery Cook; and sisters, Virginia Rinoski and Jean Hesney.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy Janczyk of Honolulu, Hawaii; children, Timothy A. Cook of Abingdon, Md.; son, Robert W. Cook of Perryman, Md.; daughters, Nancy Jean Alexander of Edgewood, Md. and Lisa Ann Johansen of Niantic; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Barbara graduated as a business major from the former Williams Memorial Institute in New London, Class of 1941. After graduation, she worked as an executive secretary to the headmaster of the Admiral Billard Academy, also in New London. Described by the headmaster as “neat and natty,” she was a talented secretary known for her shorthand expertise, a coveted skill that she later used to disguise the names on her children’s Christmas presents!

During World War II she lived on Thames Street with her parents, in New London, and enjoyed attending USO dances with her sisters. She was quite good at dancing the Jitterbug with her sisters and friends, and would dance the Jitterbug often throughout her life when a lively song came on the radio, wherever she was — smiling the entire time!

Following the war, she married 1st Lt. Emery Chase Cook, of the Army Air Corps, and moved to Hartford while he finished Trinity College. The couple later moved back to New London, where they purchased her parent’s home on Thames Street, and raised three (Rob, Tim and Nancy) of their five children. She was a wonderful cook and accomplished seamstress, making dresses and knitting scarves and mittens for her children.

In 1962, the couple relocated to Harford County, Md., and Mr. Cook opened the Cook Motorcars dealership in Aberdeen, Md. Barbara was office manager for the dealership until 2011; the employees loved to stop by her office, where it was guaranteed that they would be greeted with her warm inviting smile and friendly banter. She and Emery enjoyed traveling all over the world to Volkswagen dealer meetings and often took their children along.

Following their move to Maryland, she and Emery had two more children and she continued to be the wonderful fun-loving mother that she was. She enjoyed watching her talented son (John) perform in many plays and shows, and daughter’s (Lisa) gymnastic competitions. The entire family enjoyed summers boating and swimming at the Bush River Yacht Club, with many fun times spent on the Chesapeake Bay. Unbeknownst to some, Barbara even performed in a lovely water ballet with her girlfriends at the yacht club! She also enjoyed playing bridge, and golfing with Emery and friends at the Swan Creek Country Club. There, they enjoyed taking golf trips and playing in tournaments with friends from the club.

In 1984, the couple purchased a waterfront home in Niantic, which had always been a dream of Barbara’s. She spent her summers in Niantic, always welcoming family and friends to enjoy the beach and her spectacular view of the Long Island Sound. Forever the gracious host and talented cook, she was known for her homemade clam chowder and lobster dinners. Her grandchildren have loving memories of spending summer days there, while grandmom sat on the seawall watching them swim and play in the sand. She enjoyed taking walks along the beach in search of sea glass pieces to add to her impressive collection, and hosted memorable happy hour gatherings for friends and family.

Barbara was a caring, generous person with an infectious smile that lit up a room. She was a beautiful person, loved by all who knew her, and will be missed very much.

A memorial service for Barbara will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Niantic. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held immediately following the service at the family home in Niantic.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her name to: Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS https:// donate.broadwaycares.org/ give/140654/#!/donation/ checkout?amount=25

The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, Niantic, is assisting the family.