Shirley Jean Havel Cook died in her home on January 21, 2020 at age 68. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 40 years and devoted her life to her family as a wife and mother and to the care and service of others. She valued her temple covenants and took solace in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her loving husband, David Cook, and her two adoring daughters: Shelley Aagard, married to Michael Aagard, Bentonville, Arkansas; and Shannon Banks, married to Samuel Banks, Arlington, Virginia; along with 8 grandchildren, four from each of her daughters: Shaelyn, Rachelle, Christian, and Rosalie Aagard; and David, Trevor, Charlie, and Isaac Banks. She was preceded in death by her infant son, David William Cook.
Shirley lived a full life. She was born on September 3, 1951 in Pensacola, Florida to Raymond Clifford Havel and Muriel Inez Williams Havel. She graduated from Woodham High School in 1969 and earned her Associates Degree from Pensacola Junior College. After graduation she worked in the accounting office at the Mental Health Center in Pensacola.
Shirley was baptized in the spring of 1980. David and Shirley met that summer at a singles activity in the Pensacola Florida Stake of the church. There was an immediate spark that flourished on many levels that has continued for almost forty years and has only been temporarily interrupted by her passing from mortality. Shirley and David were married on October 18, 1980 and were sealed in the Manti Utah Temple.
She earned the Brigham Young University PHT degree for Putting Hubby Through, and then survived her husband’s thirty-five year career as an engineer in the aerospace industry that included moving her family from Pensacola to Provo, Utah; then to Melbourne, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Tucson, Arizona. In retirement, David and Shirley moved back to Orlando just as Shirley’s health began to fail.
Shirley was active in everything relating to her daughters. She volunteered at school and was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in the Orange County Florida School District. She served in leadership capacities in the Church, particularly in the youth program. She was simultaneously a dance mom, which was also a big part of her identity.
After the kids were out of the “nest,” Shirley enjoyed the adventure of flying in the family airplane or driving to visit her growing accumulation of grandchildren as they were born, blessed, baptized, and ordained, and as they performed in dance, music, and drama. She had a particularly green thumb while she enjoyed good health. Throughout her life, Shirley enjoyed the beach, good food, Disney adventures, sewing, nurturing her pets, and airplane camping. Her favorite destinations, aside from visiting her kids and grandkids, were the beaches at Pensacola, Florida; Oceanside, California; Port Aransas, Texas; and Lake Havasu, Arizona. Her service in the church shifted from the youth program to compassionate service in the Women’s Relief Society organization. Shirley was a nurturer.
Shirley lifted people wherever she lived by her genuine interest in the lives and happiness of those around her. Her smile was contagious and her spirit was a bright light in a sometimes dreary world. She leaves a great void in the hearts of the people who loved her, including her husband, children, and grandchildren. We look forward with anticipation to a glorious reunion.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3001 S Apopka-Vineland Rd, Orlando, Florida. Visitation will be between 10am and 11:45am. The funeral will begin at 12 noon.
Flowers and condolences can be sent to Woodlawn Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, Florida, (407) 293-1361.
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