Ann Turner Cook

Ann Turner Cook, who died at 95 on June 3, in St. Petersburg, FL, achieved fame early in life when a sketch of her sweet face became the official trademark for Gerber baby products. She enjoyed being the Gerber baby, but Ann most wanted to be remembered for her 27-year career as an inspiring, creative English teacher.

Ann was born in 1926 in Westport, Connecticut. Her early childhood was spent on a Colorado sheep ranch. The family later moved to Manhattan and then Orlando. Ann graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1947 and married James Cook, a World War II Navy veteran, who would later become a major in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Along with their four children, the family moved to Tampa in 1967, when Ann began teaching at Hillsborough High School.

After retiring, Ann published mystery novels set in small Florida towns and was an active member of Mystery Writers of America and the Tampa Writers Alliance. After 57 years of marriage, Ann was widowed in 2004.

Ann is survived by her children: Jan Cook (Thomas Colin) of San Francisco; Carol (George) Legarreta of Chevy Chase, MD; Clifford Cook of St. Petersburg, FL; and Kathleen (Fred) Farzanegan of Tampa. Her infant son, Jimmy, died in 1951. Ann’s eight grandchildren include Christopher and Nicholas Colin; Benjamin and Samuel Legarreta; Ashley Cook Morris, Conrad Cook, and Alanagh Cook Coleman; and Philip Farzanegan. She had nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM, June 22, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, 11400 Morris Bridge Rd. Masks are required. A private interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

The family would welcome memorial donations to Zero to Three (zerotothree.org), an organization that supports babies and parents.

Friends are invited to share memories of Ann at www.blountcurryterraceoaks.com.