Sylvia
Sylvia Cooke
d. June 23, 2016
Sylvia Cooke, 89, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2016. She was born April 15, 1927 in Manhattan New York, NY, to Charles and Hannah Rosen, but was raised primarily in the Bronx and Brooklyn. She is survived by daughter, Diane Gloria Cooke; and sons, James A. and Robert C. Cooke, all native New Mexicans born in Albuquerque, graduating from Highland High School in the 1970's. She is also survived by three granddaughters, Jennifer Ford, Crystal Cooke, and Rossi Cooke; and two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Logan Ford. Her passing was preceded by her inspiring and enterprising husband of 60 years, James J. Cooke; and by her esteemed brother, artist and professor Herman Rowan.
Sylvia grew up in the boroughs of New York City, and after graduating from Bay Ridge High in 1944 in Brooklyn, she set out for the west as imagined through Zane Grey novels, and became an Albuquerque resident in 1951. Sylvia's dedicated career with Albuquerque Public Schools included many years as secretary for Highland High and Ernie Pyle Middle School. She concurrently continued her education and obtained her B.A. in University Studies in 1986, at the age of 59, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude from UNM.
Sylvia and her family enjoyed spending many weekends camping, building and relaxing at their property in the Brazos, in Northern New Mexico. Sylvia loved the arts, academia, opera, genealogy research, traveling to Europe, and the history and events of WWII. Her memoir, "No, I have no regrets", was published in 2011, followed by the memoir "My Father, My Brother, My Husband" published in 2012. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sylvia's name to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, animalhumanenm.org.
A Graveside Service will be Wednesday, July 6, 2016, 9:45 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe St.
Sylvia grew up in the boroughs of New York City, and after graduating from Bay Ridge High in 1944 in Brooklyn, she set out for the west as imagined through Zane Grey novels, and became an Albuquerque resident in 1951. Sylvia's dedicated career with Albuquerque Public Schools included many years as secretary for Highland High and Ernie Pyle Middle School. She concurrently continued her education and obtained her B.A. in University Studies in 1986, at the age of 59, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude from UNM.
Sylvia and her family enjoyed spending many weekends camping, building and relaxing at their property in the Brazos, in Northern New Mexico. Sylvia loved the arts, academia, opera, genealogy research, traveling to Europe, and the history and events of WWII. Her memoir, "No, I have no regrets", was published in 2011, followed by the memoir "My Father, My Brother, My Husband" published in 2012. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sylvia's name to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, animalhumanenm.org.
A Graveside Service will be Wednesday, July 6, 2016, 9:45 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe St.
Service Details
Wednesday, July 6th, 2016, 9:45am, Santa Fe National Cemetery
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