Tributes

Mrs. Mary Ann Cook, 67, of Indigo Creek, Murrells Inlet, passed away on Friday, January 18, 2008. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Gutty and Christina Farina. Mrs. Cook was a graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s Academy and received a BA degree from Kean University and a Masters degree from Rowan University. As an educator for thirty-six years, she worked in both the Plainfield and Upper Township, NJ school districts. Throughout her career, she served as a teacher, and Special Programs Coordinator. While in Upper Township, Mrs. Cook directed curriculum development, served as a consultant for the Interning for Learning Program, developed an adult education program and served on the board of the Cape Education Fund. In 1991, she received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching and was included in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Mrs. Cook also worked for the New Jersey State Department of Education as a Special Program Coordinator II, assigned to the Cape County Superintendent’s Office. Upon retirement, Mrs. Cook relocated with her husband, Elvin, to Myrtle Beach. There she rekindled her love for education by working as a substitute teacher at Seaside Elementary School. She also served as a board member of the Indigo Creek Home Owners Association and was an active member of several committees. She had also volunteered at Brookgreen Gardens and the Friends of Huntington Beach. Surviving in addition to her husband, Elvin, are a sister, Angela Farina of Colorado; a brother, Michael Farina and his wife, Emily, of California; a sister-in-law, Linda Wiel of New Jersey; a brother-in-law, Roger Cook and his wife, Kathy, of New Jersey; a brother-in-law, Dean Cook and his wife, Donna, of New Jersey; and 10 nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church, of which Mrs. Cook was a member, on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. Final burial will be held in Upper Township, NJ. Memorials may be made to the St. Michael Catholic Church Building Fund, 542 Cypress Ave., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 or to Upper Township Elementary Library, 50 Old Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, NJ 08223.