COOK, Nancy Eleanor

COOK, SEITER, COPE, ZISKO, MILLER, SPENCER, AGAR, BERG, ROBKEN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 1/7/2011 at 13:51:34

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, January 3, 2011
Page 8

Nancy Eleanor COOK

With her four sons called to her bedside, Nancy began the family meeting by asking each one to speak. But unlike the tradition of earlier generations, the familial order was unimportant. Mathew SEITER (Iowa City, IA), the second oldest and a tremendous basketball fan and coach, spoke about just waking from a dream where he shot 2 perfect baskets. Joseph SEITER (Fairfield, IA), the oldest, lamented that while he hadn't become the great guitar player he'd envisioned, he was turning his hand to song writing and finding it easier than he'd imagined. "Oh," Nancy whispered, "that's the key. Live your life desires; the rest will follow."

Nancy, with these words, was inviting her sons to follow her path -- a life filled with desire and intensity. The image of the archetypal high school student in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nancy mastered both the "perfect C cheerleaders jump" and the regal homecoming court. And as the quintessential 60's Boston College student, Nancy's stories were filled with war protests, Woodstock and study of the great religions. But as a follower of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation teachings, Nancy found her way back to Iowa.

The community of Fairfield became her home; My Lucky Day, the farmers market and reading from her favorite authors, Virginia Woolf and William Faulkner, became part of her regular routine. Her indomitable spirit was ever present in her whimsical dances in the town square, her giggling voice mail greeting and her intense closeness during one on one conversations. Through the years doing personal writing and sessions at the Iowa Writer's Workshop that spirit was transformed into a powerful written voice; journals, manuscripts and countless disks are part of her legacy.

Nancy also leaves behind the gratitude of many who saw their loved ones nurtured by her caring hands. Driving her truck across country with bedding in the back, Nancy offered bedside vigils, poetry and prayers to many who were sick and dying. In notes Nancy received over the last few days, many describe her infectious joy and appreciation for her internal beauty.

But externally as well, Nancy was undeniably a beauty. While it drew many to her and left an indelible impression, it also masked some of her internal sadness only shared with a special few. She kept that circle small, even in dying.

Her personal journey ended in Clearlake Oaks, CA. The final family meeting concluded with Johny COPE (Iowa City, IA), the youngest, expressing his gratitude for being raised with trust and for being accepted for exactly who he is. As her sons recalled Nancy's holiday tradition of reading them Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory, David ZISKO, Nancy's third-born son (Hanalei, HI), pulled the book from its sleeve. While David read, tears were shed as the story ended with the burial of Buddy's childhood canine companion Queenie and final goodbyes to his elderly cousin.

Among those closest to Nancy were her life partners, Kelly MILLER, Hartley SPENCER (Jelalludin), and Scott AGAR. In addition to her four sons, she will be deeply missed by others she leaves behind: her mother, Josephine COOK (Cedar Rapids, IA), her siblings -- Valissa BERG (Marion, IA), Jacqueline COOK (Brooklyn, NY), Robert COOK (Cedar Rapids, IA) and Faun COOK ROBKEN (Iowa City, IA), -- her nieces and nephews, and cousins and countless others who love and mourn her. Nancy is preceded in death by her father, Sutherland COOK.

Nancy's family is grateful to the Lake County Hospice workers who assisted Nancy's sons and partners in her care. Those who wish to make a contribution in her memory may do so with a donation to: Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 S. Main Street, Lakeport, CA 95433 (www.lakecountyhospice.org)

No memorial service is planned. You may leave a message or tribute on the website www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

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