Joan is survived by three siblings: Irma Jean (Ray) Spaeth of Logan, Ohio; John Richard (Teresa) Cook of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Paul Fulton (Barbara) Cook of Corona, California. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews and their children as well as several step children, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Worthy Hunter Cummings Jr. of Denver, Colorado on January 2019. She was preceded in death by six siblings: Mary Eileen Hogan of Green Valley AZ; Raymond David Cook of St. Mary’s PA; James Donald Cook of Kent, Ohio; William Bradley Cook of Kent, Ohio; Martha Ellen Lee of Fort Scott, Kansas; and Robert Damien Cook of New Milford, Ohio.
Joan’s 88 years in this life have been beautifully documented in a book she authored: “COOKIE”- 7th from the top, 4th from the bottom. This memoir of Joan Cook was published in 2014 by BookCrafters.
She viewed her life in six “Bethlehem’s” where new possibilities and hopes were born:
First Bethlehem, she was born to Helen Mary Bradley and William Raymond Cook into a large, loving, farm family in a house built by her Dad on a dirt road in Kent, OH on Dec. 12, 1930.
Second Bethlehem. Following her graduation from St. Mary’s Catholic Academy for girls, she entered the Catholic Order of St. Benedictine Nuns in Nauvoo, IL and became Sister Raymond. She studied chemistry
at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa then undertook advanced courses in chemistry at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. In 1957, at age 26, she received her Bachelors Degree in Chemistry with a math minor and began teaching chemistry at St. Mary’s Academy.
She became principal at St. Thomas More School in Munster, IN. In 1969 she was later honored to be appointed principal of her alma mater, St Mary’s Academy. This began her life-long passion for teaching and giving.
Third Bethlehem, Joan left the convent after 25 years, moved to Denver, CO and worked 12 years for Conoco Oil Company. During that time, she studied handwriting analysis and became a certified analyst and instructor in graphology, again following her passion for teaching.
Fourth Bethlehem, she married Worthy Hunter Cummings, Jr. and became a wife and stepmother living in Lakewood, CO for 20 years. She was beloved as a step-mother, mentor and teacher of graphology.
Fifth Bethlehem, she divorced at age 70 and was on her own again. She moved to Logan, OH in 2016 to spend her final years with her sister, Irma Jean Spaeth.
Family and friends treasured her annual Christmas letters filled with information, inspiration and wisdom.
In later life Joan developed “Essential Tremors” and had donated her brain to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for research.
She wrote about her Sixth Bethlehem to come. In death she would be born into internal life and later begin again. She had evolved to a firm believe in reincarnation. Joan wrote this final message:
“I believe my life in this particular human body is a miniscule part of my spirit – my soul – which is a part of the life of the Great Spirit – of God – the Universal Life Force – which enlivens all beings and all matter. I believe we are all One.
I believe I have come to planet Earth many times over the eons that man has walked the earth. That I have chosen the times and places (while out of body) for the lessons I could learn in my soul’s journey.
Right now, as you read this, I am again in spirit (consciousness) form – loving each of you. I will probably incarnate on Earth again – with many of you, whom I believe will also choose to come again to the free choice planet for more lessons in spiritual evolution.
I have loved each of you while I was in the body and I continue to love each of you out of my body.
Love is the only thing that matters – Love one another.” Joan
At Joan’s request there will be no service, and In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to your favorite charity. Dignity Cremation is to take place through HALTEMAN-FETT & DYER FUNERAL HOME.
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