Obituary

Dorothy L. Cook, a long-time resident of Mercer Island, died on Oct. 8 at Overlake Hospital.

Mrs. Cook was born in Seattle on Oct. 22, 1924. Her father, Ole Locken, was a tailor who emigrated from Norway to Washington state in 1907. Ole settled in Seattle and married Cora Pedersen, also of Norwegian descent, in 1923. Cora died a few weeks after giving birth to Dorothy. Ole never remarried, and Dorothy, his only child, lived with her Aunt Margit and Uncle Ed (Nygard) until she was 9 years old.

Mrs. Cook graduated from Mt. Vernon High School with honors and soon after met her husband-to-be, Chester A. Cook, at a Skagit County social event. They married in 1946 and had two children. They resided in or near Seattle, including Mercer Island, except for seven years during the 1950s, when they lived in the San Francisco Bay area. They were married for 56 years. Chet died in 2002, and Mrs. Cook spent her remaining years at Covenant Shores on Mercer Island.

Mrs. Cook was an avid hiker and naturalist, an accomplished writer, an expert with needle and thread, a joyful observer of Norwegian customs, and a devoted student of Nordic languages and culture. She was a charter member of Ballard’s Nordic Heritage Museum and attended worship services throughout her life, most recently at Seattle First Baptist Church.

Mrs. Cook is survived by her daughter, Susan Delzell; her son, Jeffrey Cook; and her granddaughter, Cameron Cook. Mrs. Cook’s ashes will be interred with those of her husband at Evergreen-Washelli. At Mrs. Cook’s request, no memorial service will be held. An online memorial can be viewed at www.evergreen-washelli.com.

Remembrances are suggested to the Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., Seattle, WA 98117.