Elizabeth "Betty" Christine (Peterson) Cook

Betty was born on August 2, 1938, to Hans and Catherine Peterson in Philadelphia, PA. Betty was their youngest of three children.

Betty grew up in a row house South Philly, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived nearby during her early childhood. The family faced tragedy when her mother passed suddenly when she was ten years old. Through this adversity and the many that followed, she stayed grounded in her faith and never lost her zest for life. Being a Philly girl, she especially loved New Year’s Day when the annual Mummer’s Parade was held. Her favorites were the String Bands and Fancy Brigade. She made sure that her children learned the proper way to do the dance called the “Mummer’s Strut”, and she would teach anyone else who was interested. Not surprising that Mummer’s Strut became a mandatory dance at everyone’s wedding. She was social, loved singing, music, dancing, and especially laughing. She loved, supported, guided, and always prayed over us all. Our mom was extraordinary woman, she will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her brother Donald Peterson, her four children Steven Hans Cook, his wife Deborah Ann, their daughter Stephanie Ann Nelson, her husband Michael Nelson and their sons Jaeden and Maverick and son Timothy Hans Cook. Her daughter Donna Lynn Schefer, her husband William Henry Schefer, their daughter Kathryn Grace Campbell and husband Myles Campbell, daughter Madelyn Elizabeth Schefer and her wife, Jillian Nicole Bushor. Her daughter Valerie Ann Cook, her daughter Samantha Leigh Allen, her husband Matthew Allen, and her son Sean Christopher Eagan. Her youngest son Scott Robert Cook, his wife Heather Cook, their daughters Stephanie Alyssa Miller, Megan Miller, and son Timothy-Justin Miller, as well as their grandchildren Skylar Rayne Ferrara, Ellie Marie Everett-Weaver, and Tessa Sky Everett-Weaver. Betty wasn’t just “Grandma Betty” to our children, she was also “Grandma Betty” to all our friends’ children, our spouses’ nieces and nephews and then “Great-Grandma Betty” to all of their children. She felt it was blessed gift to love and be loved by so many children.

She is predeceased by her parents, Hans and Catherine Peterson, stepmother Elizabeth Peterson, and her sister Joan Miller, and recently her husband of 67 years Donald Arthur Cook.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to donate to your favorite charity.