SCIO – Cleona Pearl Cook, 78, passed away on Tuesday (November 2, 2021) at Strong Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.
Mrs. Cook was born on January 23, 1943 in Wellsville to Horton Eugene and Thedra Christina (Hile) Finnemore. She received her elementary education at the one room school house in Shongo and later attended Wellsville Central School. On October 28, 1961, at the Dyke Street Tabernacle in Wellsville, she married Paul Henry Cook, Sr., who survives.
Pearl enjoyed the life of a homemaker, tending to the needs of her husband and family. Life as a farmer’s wife was always busy and she cherished her role as a wife and mother.
In addition to her husband of 60 years, Pearl is survived by four children, Deborah C. (Rick) Lyman of Belmont, Patricia Pearl (fiancé Kent M. Hoffer) Cook of Scio, Paul Henry (Michael Mills) Cook, Jr. of Asheville, N.C., and Daniel E. (Amy) Cook of Wellsville; two foster children, Todd Gardner of Scio and Kristen (Carl) Laici of Pa.; five brothers, David (Adele) Finnemore of Scio, Harlan (Karyl) Finnemore of Idaho, Robert (Jane) Finnemore of Belmont, Roger (Becky) Finnemore of Scio, Ronald Finnemore of Cuba; four sisters, Fay Graham of Genesee, Pa., Dawn (Bill) Saunders of Wellsville, Barbara (Winston) Truax of Shongo and Bonita (Gerald) Currier of Alma; a sister-in-law, Lucy Maxine Turner of Fla.; 13 grandchildren, Desiree Lyman, Zachariah Lyman, Douglas (Heather) Cook, Vernon (Hayley) Green, Dustin Green, Thedra Green, Trevor Cook, Sabrina (Donald) Kemp, Rodney Mosher, Devin Mosher, Hayley (Cody Hennard) Cook, Calla Cook, and Madison Cook; 19 great grandchildren, Douglas Cook, II, Mackenzie McFall, Dominick Cook, Austin Green, Brantley Green, Maxwell Green, Reese Green, Paisley Green, Olivia Green, Essabella Pizzaro, Zaden French-Lawson, Nikkieta Green, Preston Bowker, Tobias Cook, Nicholas Cook, Christopher Cook, Hunter Kemp, Calysi Kemp and Eleanna Cook; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Pearl was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy Finnemore and Wayne Finnemore; two sisters in-law, Marcella Finnemore and Harriet Louge; and four brothers-in-law, Howard Graham, William C. Cook, David Cook, and John Cook.
Pearl had a talent and love for art. She excelled at drawing and pastels, honing her skills by portraying horses, nature scenes and portraits of those she loved. She was a poet as well, as words seemed to come together for her.
Pearl was a hard worker and experienced great satisfaction in being part of the rhythm of the farm, even down to stacking lumber and other difficult jobs. She helped meet the needs of her family by putting in a big garden every year and canning the bounty as she harvested it. The kitchen was the heart of the home and she made sure that everyone left her table with a full stomach, a hug, and a kiss.
That kindness and loving nature extended far beyond the family. Pearl had a servant’s heart and a caring way that caused all who met her to feel Yahshua’s love pouring out through her.
Pearl was a romantic at heart. She adored her husband’s handsome form, even when he was just walking out to the barn to start the day’s chores. When Paul picked a wild flower from the hay field and gave it to her, it meant more to her than if she had received a diamond. Pearl had a deeply loving nature and it showed by her acts of love and kindness toward Paul. She delighted in her alone time with him and was particularly good at spoiling him. Paul was especially blessed just days before her passing as he shared a special lunch date with her, his high school sweetheart, on their 60th anniversary.
There will be a Celebration of Life open house on Saturday (November 6) from 1-4 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Wellsville/Scio. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com. © 2021 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
