Michelle Lee Cook, 51, was born in Batavia, New York on July 18, 1970. In 1978, the family moved to North Port, FL. She graduated from West Florida Christian School and continued her education at Liberty University and graduated from Clearwater Christian College. She began her journey of working with children immediately following graduation from college. Her love for children led her to teach in preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school. Michelle’s most recent teaching opportunities included Character House, Triad, Visible Men’s Academy, and Booker Middle School. She had recently signed a contract with Suncoast School for Innovative Studies. She loved walking the local beaches at sunset and spending time with her dogs, Chance and Belle.
Survivors include her precious sons Peter Ginquitti, 24 (Jeana) and Matthew Ginquitti, 23 (Joana), her grandmother DeEtta Burch of Noblesville, IN, her mother Cheryl Cook of Sarasota, her father Douglas Cook of Bean Station, TN, her sister Bethanne Cook Bearden (Wesley) of Gaston, South Carolina and many aunts, uncles, cousins and students whose lives were forever changed by her love.
A visitation for Michelle will be held Monday, August 30, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232, followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM. A private entombment will take place at Gulf Pines Memorial Park located in Englewood, Florida. Funeral services will be livestreamed. Simply click the "Join Live Stream" button next to the displayed services below at the scheduled time of services 12:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to The Out of Door Academy at oda.edu or donate to Michelle's Go-Fund-Me to assist with funeral expenses.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsmemorial.com for the Cook family.
