Janice Cook
SARASOTA - Janice Lee (Rollinger) Cook Janice Lee Cook passed peacefully with the heartfelt thoughts and prayers of her caring friends and with her loving family by her side. Jan was born on January 29, 1952, in Wilkins Twp, PA, a typical suburb of Pittsburgh, as the second of three daughters to John and Eleanor Rollinger. She grew up in one of the numerous homes her beloved grandfather,
Papa Nick, who had immigrated to the U.S. by himself as a teenager, had built in their community. Her career began as a Medical Assistant in a well-known family practice when competence was as important as one’s degree. She performed a multitude of duties, taking x-rays, drawing blood for in-office lab testing, and personally assisting the doctors in their patient care.
It was during this time that Janice began her love for international travel either by herself, with a friend, as a chaperone with an organization, and later, with her family. Every other year there was a new adventure abroad. These trips were designed to ingrain herself into the local culture, food, and people.
After marrying, Janice and her husband, Frank, had a new house built in Upper St. Clair, PA and soon started a family with the birth of their son, Alex. This house was special to their new family as Janice made it “their home” with her gift for interior design, whimsical flair, and the many delicious dinners she hosted for friends and family.
Janice was a fiercely independent person, and upon the birth of her son she made the decision to change her role in life. She became a loving mother, homemaker, and a dedicated volunteer for numerous organizations over the years. These included her active participation in her son’s CISV activities & trips abroad, her renowned annual Christmas toy drive and gift extravaganza at a Pittsburgh food bank, the desserts she made for a hospice house which were a weekly baker’s delight, training her therapy dog, Cydnie, for nursing home appointments, and her weekly visits with home hospice patients which allowed their caregivers an afternoon of free time. This brought joy to her heart as she regaled at the careers, hobbies and exploits of these hospice patients. On three special occasions Janice was the primary host for foreign students to spend extended stays at her home. Happiness for Janice was ensuring that others were content, successful, and well taken care of.
Janice and family had vacationed on Longboat Key, FL for years, and upon retirement, she moved permanently onto the key. After a few years of this idyllic life, they built their second dream home. Janice’s passion was to live a vibrant, active, and compassionate life. The many close friends she was able to make over the past decade simply made for a fulfilling and happy life on the key. Janice would begin each day walking one of her cherished dogs and then bicycling the neighborhood. She enjoyed meeting her neighbors with a kind word and always having a treat for one of their puppies.
The bright light and vitality Janice shared with us every day will last in all our hearts forever.
Janice is survived by her husband (Frank), son (Alex), two sisters Joann (Steve Stein) and Joyce (Paul Welsh), brother-in-law John (Pat), sisters-in-law (Nancy Hogue & Terry Cook), eight nieces and nephews, and their families.
In celebration of Janice’s life, please wear bright colors to the service at the Robert Toale and Sons funeral home in Palms Memorial Park (Honore Ave and Fruitville Rd) on Saturday, March 2, 2024. A viewing will be held from 10am to 12pm, followed by a service in the chapel at the funeral home beginning at 12 noon with a reception/luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, Janice would like you to consider a donation to Children First, a Head Start and early learning center at 1723 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota 34234.