Katharine Cook

On Sunday, August 30, 2020, Katharine Kiker Cook, loving wife and mother of three, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 84. Kathy was born on January 7, 1936 in Toledo, OH to Clyde and Beatrice (Moore) Kiker. In September of 1953, she met the man of her dreams who happened to be her high school bus driver. Six weeks later on October 24, 1953, she married Jack Franklin Cook, and they celebrated over 66 years of love and devotion. Together, they raised three children with lots of love, support, and laughter. Kathy loved being a mother, saying often it was the best job she ever had, but in her early 40’s she enrolled in the Northwest Ohio Practical Nurse Training Center, graduating with an LPN degree. She went to work at Flower Hospital for over 20 years, working in the labor and delivery department bringing babies into the world and caring for new mothers. Kathy was a loving person who would help anyone having difficulties in their lives by taking them into her home, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, nursing loved ones back to health, or serving as a deaconess at Westgate Chapel. Kathy was an avid reader and quilter, whose goal in life was to make a quilt for everyone she loved. Her beautiful quilts are spread throughout family and friends. Anyone coming to the memorial, who has one of her quilts, please bring it with you to hang on the back of your pew. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Beatrice Kiker, four brothers and sisters, Beatrice Kiker McDonald, Russ Kiker, Cecil Kiker, and Helen Kiker Merry, and two grandchildren Courtney and Stuart Babich. She is survived by her loving husband, Jack F. Cook, three children, Lesley Cook Jackson, Matthew R. Cook, Sr. (Lisa), and Stacey Cook Babich (Stephen), as well as grandchildren, Steven (Theresa Gue) Jackson, Greg (Kenisha) Jackson, Ryan (Sarah) Jackson, Matthew R. Cook, Jr., Tyler (Courtney) Cook, Jonah (Meggan) Cook, Lacey Cook, Alex (Hope) Babich, and 8 1/2 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Westgate Chapel, 2500 Wilford Dr., Toledo, OH 43615 on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 1:00 PM followed by a luncheon. Donations can be made to the International Myeloma Foundation at myeloma.org.