Sister Mary Joan Cook

SISTER MARY JOAN COOK, RSM, Ph.D. (Joan K. Cook) of West Hartford died Wednesday (Feb. 13, 2013) in the Baggot Street Community at Saint Mary Home, West Hartford, on February 13, 2013. Born in New Rochelle, New York, she was the daughter of the late William O. and Mary E. (Sullivan) Cook. She graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Saint Joseph College and received advanced degrees from Boston College and the University of Toronto. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1947and taught in Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph Schools in Hartford, Saint Peter School in Danbury and Saint Mary High School in Greenwich before joining the English Department at Saint Joseph College, now the University of Saint Joseph, where she remained for nearly 50 years, retiring as Faculty Emerita. She took a sabbatical to serve as Dean of Studies at Lauralton Hall in Milford for two years. After retiring from teaching, Sister served as an academic advisor in The Weekend College and volunteer in the College Archives. Recently, she authored the history of the first 75 years of Saint Joseph College entitled Saint Joseph College 1932-2007: The Art of Becoming in a Changing Society. Sister Mary Joan is fondly remembered by the College alumnae for her personal interest in their success, her generous sharing of her time and knowledge, and her literary and dramatic talents in the Queene's Companye. Sister Mary Joan guided the baccalaureate degree programs for several Sisters from India and Africa and remained in contact with them following their graduation. The Sisters who lived with her in the Lourdes Community at Saint Joseph College were inspired by her generosity, kindness, intellectual acumen and faith-filled life. She was much loved and recognized by her nieces and nephews as a wisdom figure, a guiding light who created beauty with her presence. A long-standing active member of the Sisters of Mercy Justice Committee and a woman of many interests, Sister Mary Joan could be found enthusiastically viewing the Kentucky Derby, cheering the UCONN Women's Basketball Team or enjoying an opera at the Bushnell with her friends. Aunt Nancy, a name given by her younger brother, is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families and the Sisters of Mercy Community. She was predeceased by her sisters, Mary O. Bidwell, Jane G. Murphy, and Edna K. Hammond, and her brothers, William O. Cook and Rev. John P. Cook. Calling hours are Wednesday from 2:00-5:00PM in the chapel of St. Mary Home, 2021 Albany Ave., West Hartford. A Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 6:30PM in the Connor Chapel of the University of St. Joseph. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery on Thursday at 9:00AM. Those wishing to make a donation in Sister Mary Joan Cook's memory are asked to consider the Sisters of Mercy, 55 East Cedar Street, Newington, CT 06111 or the University of Saint Joseph, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home has care of arrangements. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.