She was born Sept. 4, 1926, the daughter of Stanley and Christina Magure. Mary graduated from Sterns High School, Gorham State Teachers College and the University of Maine. For over 25 years, she taught grades third through fifth at Evans Street School in South Portland and at Portland’s North School, Riverton and Longfellow schools.
Mary was a member of the Portland Teachers’ Association, Maine Education Association and National Education Association. She also was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and a communicant of St. Demetrius Church in Saco.
On June 11, 1948, she married Frank T. Cook, and together they bought a house in South Portland to raise their three children. Mary enjoyed many summers at their camp on Highland Lake in Windham.
In the mid-1970s, she and Frank moved to Saco, where they enjoyed a “country” setting, fishing in the Cascade Brook, which bordered their property, and watching various animals such as deer, turkeys and an occasional moose in their yard.
They enjoyed raising and training their Golden Retrievers, camping, traveling and spending time with their grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Mary was a loving wife, mother, and “Ninnie” to all her grandkids.
Mary was preceded in death by: her husband; her parents; a brother, Dr. George S. Magure; a sister, Anne Karas; and an infant grandson, Zachary Owen Norkus.
She is survived by: her children, Michael F. Cook of Farmington, Christine A. Cook of Lewiston and Jane E. Norkus-McLaskey (Clayton) of Saco; her grandchildren, Betsy Cook Norton (Troy) of Farmington, Scott M. Cook (Colleen) of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, Jeromy T. Norkus of Dayton, and Thad M. Norkus of Hollis.
Also surviving “Ninnie” are her great-grandchildren, Noah, Adrianna and Kendra Norkus; Carter, Cameron and Bryce Norton; and Tucker and Taylor Cook.
“Mrs. Cook” is also survived by two very good friends and her former fourth-grade students at North School, Pat and Len Colello, who kept in touch with her for over 50 years.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Clover Manor (Clare Place and Galway), and to Beacon Hospice and her special caregivers there, Sherri, Jaimie and Crystal, for the comfort, support and love they provided to their mom.
A gathering celebrating of Mary’s life will be held 4-7 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. Interment will be held at a later date in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Clover Manor Activities, 440 Minot Ave., Auburn, ME 04210, or to: Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, 55 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240.
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