Colleen’s Obituary Queensbury — Colleen Cook, 67, passed away Monday, March 4, 2018, at Glens Falls Hospital, after a brief illness following a two-year battle with cancer. Born April 10, 1951, in Glens Falls, Colleen was the daughter of the late Robert Beswick and Shirley (Payne) Mitchell. She would spend her entire life in the area, growing up on Jenkinsville Road, spending summers at the family camp on Loon Lake in Chestertown, and finally settling down on the banks of the peaceful Hudson River in Queensbury.
When her son was old enough to begin school, Colleen decided to join him, beginning a 24-year career as a library aide at Queensbury Elementary School, where, as “Mrs. Cook”, she was well known and beloved by thousands of children passing through the school system. As one might expect, she loved to read. She was also known to spend her summers cheering on her favorite baseball team, the New York Mets, and her winters celebrating her favorite holiday, Christmas, which she always made so special for her family.
Colleen always loved to throw a party. Colleen also loved to be outdoors and active, including boating, swimming, kayaking, bowling, camping, hiking, snowmobiling, water, alpine, and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and trail-running. Besides her parents, Colleen was predeceased by her sister, Linda Mitchell, and step-father Roland Mitchell.
She leaves behind a large family, including her son, Travis Cook, of Colchester, VT; step-daughter, Starlett Cook and her partner, Michael Wynn, of Queensbury; sister, Kathleen Williams and her partner, Mark, of Loon Lake; sister, Holly Vaughn and her partner, Neal Hubbell, of Queensbury; and half-brother, Roland Mitchell II and his partner, Tammy Bruno, of Queensbury. She also leaves grandchildren, Carly and T Wynn; many nieces and nephews, including Scott Mitchell, Stacy Eastman, Jeremy Williams, Ryan and Justin Vaughn, and Amanda, Abigail, and Allie Mitchell; many cousins including Gary Banta; and many dear friends, including close friend Teri Weston of Malone. The family would like to express a sincere thank you to the Glens Falls ICU Team and The Glens Falls Cancer Center, especially Dr Gillani, PA Elizabeth, and the many nurses upstairs, including her new good friend Lisa, AKA Glitter Girl, whose smile is contagious and welcomes you as you walk into the unit.
In the infusion area, her favorite nurse, Alex, brightened her treatment days, and Cara always made the appointment work for us. Thank you to all the many other Angels who work there. To the friends she made while receiving her treatments, and to the Cancer Patients she didn’t meet, please follow her lead.
She would want you to support each other and laugh as much as you can, as often as you can. If you see a person without a smile, give them one of yours. As Colleen often said, live your life to the fullest, stay positive, and laugh… laugh a lot.
Calling hours will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, March 11, at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury. A memorial service will follow at noon at the funeral home. Condolences and floral arrangements may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home or through www.
bakerfuneralhome.com.
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