Irene Cook

Irene was born in Franklin, NY, in Delaware County on May 27th, 1939, the daughter of Roy and Lela Humphrey Foster. Irene was a lifetime resident of the Sherburne, & North Norwich area, moving to Willet, NY about 15 years ago. Irene worked in many places throughout the years. Baillie Lumber in Smyrna, NY. CWS in Norwich, NY and many more. Her last place of work was at the Sherburne Motel as the Motel manager. She was able to retire when she remarried on September 13, 2008 in Cortland, NY and then moved to Willet.

Irene is survived by her children, Grant (Teresa) Whaley, of Columbia So. Carolina, Grace (Bob) Pinney, of Sherburne, NY; her step-children, Gary Lawrence (Donna) Cook Jr., of Keene, NH, Darleen (Alan) Heath, of Marathon, and Michelle (Harry) Dillion, of Gilbert AZ; her grandchildren, Robert Jr. (Elise) Pinney, of Vikersund Norway, Ryan (Summer) Pinney, of Strongsville Ohio, Shawn (Amanda) Pinney, of Sherburne, NY, and Josh (Chelsea) Whaley, of Norwich, NY; her step-grandchildren, Tyler Marzal, of Sidney, and Ryan (Nicole) Marzal, of S. Carolina; her great-grandchildren, Clara & Ella Pinney, of Vikersund Norway, and Suraj & Wade Pinney, of Strongsville, Ohio; many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; her sister, Marie Whaley, of Preston Manor, Judy (George) Wright, of North Norwich NY; her brother, Victor (Pauline) of Dorothy St. Binghamton; she is also survived by her good friend Margaret Yarnes of Willet, NY who was there for her through it all. A huge thank-you to Carlene Fairbanks and staff for being her caregivers since August.

In addition to Irene’s parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband Gary Cook Sr. on November 15th 2023, at the age of 86; her son, Gary Alan Whaley on April 20th, 2021 at the young age of 59, and a brother Frank Foster on September 6th, 1955 at the tender age of 21.

Mom will be greatly missed by many friends and family. As a friend said, brace yourself Heaven, she is coming! She is a force to be reckoned with. Fly high my dear mother. I love you.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 16th, at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich, NY with Pastor Linda Powell-Owens officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00am until the time of service. Burial will be at the North Norwich cemetery at a later date.