Mary Nell Van Hook Anders

DENVER, CO – Devoted wife and mother, steadfast storyteller, and loyal friend, Mary Nell Van Hook Anders of Denver, CO, passed away peacefully at home on April 4, 2024, after a short illness. She was 94.

Her Memorial Service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, April 19 in the Pavilion of Reflection at Crown Hill Mortuary, Wheat Ridge, CO, with burial at 3 p.m. A reception will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Crown Hill Reception Hall. At a later time, a portion of her ashes will be interred in the Arcadia Cemetery, Arcadia, LA.

Born January 24, 1930, in Bryceland, LA, Mary Nell was the daughter of Ernest Lee Thrasher and Mary Oma Snider Thrasher of Bienville Parish, LA. She grew up in Arcadia, graduating from Arcadia High School in 1947 and Louisiana Polytechnic University (Louisiana Tech) in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration.

Although she was born during the Great Depression, she “never knew it.” She was a high school cheerleader, who enjoyed family and friends, and even danced on a flat-bed truck to the new sounds of a young singer just called “Elvis.”

Mary Nell and McGuire Gerald Van Hook of Ruston, LA, were married December 23, 1950, in Arcadia and were happily married for 53 years, having four children and making 17 moves as they followed activities related to the oil and gas industry.

She spent the early years of her marriage as a mom and homemaker, but later held several jobs. As she readied for her first job application in Monroe, LA, in 1972, she was warned by a family member that “you can’t do anything.” To that she replied: “Just watch me.” She loved every job she ever had, including that first one with a four-doctor practice in Monroe, and, later, in Denver as receptionist and office manager for Hoeckels Printing Co.

Mary Nell was active in several organizations, including the Petroleum Land Wives of Denver and especially groups related to bridge, a life-long passion. She also enjoyed entertaining, gardening, cooking, reading, watching movies, visiting museums, and viewing sports, especially her beloved Denver Broncos and her adopted New Orleans Saints. She loved to travel with family and friends. For many years, she and three close friends made annual “girl trips” to destinations across the country.

She liked being active, but the center of her life was her children, her pride and joy, to whom she was totally devoted. Her children’s friends became her friends, and they could always find a hot meal or a refuge at the Van Hook home when college classes were snowed out. They described her as feisty, courageous, flexible, funny, and a great cook.

Mary Nell and Gerald were active members of Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, CO, before her sojourn in Shreveport, LA, where she and her second husband, Pete, joined Broadmoor Baptist Church.

Mary Nell and Milton H. “Pete” Anders of Houston, TX, were married June 17, 2006, in Haynesville, LA, at the home of his sister. They resided for 12 years in Shreveport, making frequent visits to Denver. The two grew up together in Arcadia, even occupying adjacent cribs in the infant nursery of the Arcadia Baptist Church. They connected with many childhood friends upon their move to Shreveport.

Although she experienced macular degeneration and partial loss of vision after age 80, Mary Nell barely slowed down. She always had a twinkle in her eye and pep in her step, continuing to exercise and to plan dinners and outings with friends and family in both of her hometowns. No occasion was too small or too large for a party or event for Mary Nell. More than 100 people traveled to her Brookdale Parkplace residence to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Survivors include her children, Mary Evelyn Van Hook Escamilla (Joe) of Shelbyville, IN, Gerald Steven “Steve” Van Hook (Brenda) of Greenwood Village, CO, Lee Ann Van Hook Halligan (B.J.) of Arvada, CO, and Patricia Kay “Patty” Van Hook of Denver; six grandchildren, Joseph Edwards “Joey” Escamilla of Mieres del Camin, Austurias, Spain, Maxwell Evan “Max” Escamilla of Indianapolis, IN, Joshua McGuire “Josh” Van Hook (Ivana) of Broomfield, CO, Nicole Marie Van Hook Fritz (Nick) of Louisville, KY, Jacob Joseph “Jake” Van Hook (Marianella) of Cuzco, Peru, and Will Halligan (Lupita) of Gunnison, CO; three great-grandchildren, Claire Fritz, Giovanna Van Hook, and William Halligan; and numerous nephews, nieces, and close friends, both life-long and new.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald Van Hook; husband Milton H. “Pete” Anders; sister, Bonnie Thrasher Beard; daughter-in-law, Nora Azzarelli Van Hook; and stepdaughter, Mary Alison Anders.

She was “Mary Nell” in Louisiana and “Mary” in Colorado and elsewhere. She never met a stranger, finding connections wherever she went. She was a woman of many words and stories, who embraced her Southern heritage as a loving, giving, and caring wife, mother, aunt, and friend.

At her passing the world has become a sadder and duller place.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, which seeks a cure for the disease that affected Gerald Van Hook, at 789 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO, 80203-3532, or to a charity of choice.