Annette Secunde Cooke passed away at the age of 83 after a valiant fight against cancer. She was born in Flint, Michigan on the 17th of September 1927, the third of four children to Andrew and Claire Bressler Secunde.
The family moved back to Cleveland, Ohio several years later where both John and Claire had been born and raised. Annette attended parochial schools in Cleveland graduating from Notre Dame Academy and Ursuline College. In 1952 she moved to Chicago to pursue her career in market research and continue her education at Northwestern University. She eventually became a vice president of Market Research Corporation of America.
Annette married Kenneth Francis Cooke on the 6th of October 1962 in Evanston, Illinois beginning an idyllic relationship nurtured by both. They moved to Houston, Texas in 1971 when Ken became president of an insurance company. Throughout their marriage they traveled extensively in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. They especially enjoyed cruises that took them to many parts of the world. After retiring, Annette was very active in several organizations holding offices including president of chapter BB of the P.E.O., The University Women’s Alliance, the Rustic Oaks Garden Club and the Briargrove Park Women’s Club.
She was preceded in death by her beloved brother Philip. Mrs. Cooke is survived by her adored husband of forty-seven years, Ken; sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Raymond Tomorowitz of Euclid, Ohio; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Patricia Secunde of Cleveland, Ohio; sister-in-law, Patricia Secunde of Wilmington, North Carolina; fourteen nieces and nephews; twenty one great nieces and nephews, two special godchildren and a myriad of good friends.
Ken and Annette moved to Parkway Place Retirement residence in 2006 where they enjoyed their final years together. Annette showed remarkable courage in her final years considering her ongoing fight with cancer, maintaining a cheerful attitude for all around her. She specifically requested that many thanks be given to all the staff at Parkway Place, and most notably to the Buckner Hospice group as well as to Always Best Care and the caregivers for the loving care and attention they gave her during the last months of her life.
Following a private graveside service at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery where Chaplain Arnie Peterson will officiate, a celebration of her wonderful and happy life will be held at Parkway Place, 1321 Park Bayou Drive, Houston, Texas at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, September 25.
In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, Annette would appreciate donations be directed to the P.E.O. Texas Star Oaks Fund, c/o Jo Nell Marshall, 1512 Nantucket Drive, Houston, TX, 77057.
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