Charlotte Ann Cook

According to Charlotte Cook, life is full of certainties: some sales should not be taken for granted (“they’re practically giving it away”), it is a mother’s prerogative to remind you of the fragility of life (“I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it”) and all things can be repurposed (“that’s a good box”).

Charlotte Ann Cook passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 in her home, lovingly surrounded by her family.

Charlotte was born on May 12th, 1946 in Kansas City, MO to Albert and Cecilia Buckman. She was the second of five children. Charlotte attended Guardian Angels Catholic School in Kansas City, MO and later Bishop Lillis High School. As a student at Lillis, Charlotte was a majorette and met a character named Joe Cook. She graduated in 1964.

After High School Charlotte attended nursing school at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Kansas City, KS. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1967. She later went on to graduate from Avila University with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1985. On August 19th, 1967 she married the man she would build a family with…still Joe. Over the next 47 years, they would have 4 children and 9 grandchildren together.

Charlotte always said that the most fulfilling job of her life was that of wife, mother, and grams. However, one cannot overlook the impressive career that spanned 44 years. As a nurse she worked in a variety of specialities, including ICU, post operative heart care, plastic surgery, and insurance case management. Her true calling, however, was as a hospice nurse. In 1973, Charlotte joined the Missouri Army National Guard in order to earn “tuition money” for her children’s Catholic education. Charlotte retired from the military in 1994 as the Chief Nurse of the 135th MASH unit and an O-5, Lieutenant Colonel.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Cecilia (Pete and Celie) Buckman, her husband Joseph Cook, siblings Doug, Steve, Mary and Paul and son-in-law Chris Bradley. She is survived by her children: John (Angie) Cook, Kathy Bradley, Ann (Eric) Fry, and Jimmy (Ashley) Cook, her nine grandchildren: Allie, Katie (Dony), Michael, Abby, Reese, Paige, Emma, Izzy, and Quinn, and her sister-in-law, Mary Ann Long.

Rosary will be held on Tuesday, June 14th at 6:00 pm at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, 9020 E. 51st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64133 with visitation to follow. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 15th at 10:00 am at the church, with internment following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made in Charlotte’s memory to St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church.

Charlotte’s legacy is the compassion in which she lived her life and her service to others. The love she had for her family and friends was endlessly abundant and her faith unshakable. While we are heartbroken, we take solace in the knowledge that she has achieved everlasting life and is reunited with the love of her life… still Joe!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilleySheil.com for the Cook family.