Mary Elizabeth (Decker) Cook

Mary Elizabeth (Decker) Cook

Mary Elizabeth (Decker) Cook, age 96, passed away at Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, where she was living since 2015. Until moving to Messiah Village, she had been living with her daughter since 2005.  Mary was born on Friday, August 15, 1924, in Wilkes-Barre to the late George Decker and Roshida (Nossel) Decker.  Mary was the widow of William Albert Cook, Sr., whom she married on October 16, 1948, and who died on May 26, 1997.  In addition to her parents and husband, Mary is preceded in death by her son, William Albert Cook, Jr.; her grandson, Christian Cook; and her nine siblings: Margaret Desciak, Sarah Luksh, Peter Decker, Emma Decker, James Decker, George Decker, Agnes Brislin, Rita Schrieber, and Robert Decker.

Mary’s survivors include her three children: Elizabeth “Libby” Dorris and husband Donald of Mechanicsburg, PA, Robert “Bob” Cook and wife, Jacky, of Harvey’s Lake, PA, Paul Cook and wife, Lydia, of Fort Myers, FL; her seven grandchildren: Kelly Kenes and husband, Adin, of Mechanicsburg, William J. Cook of Wilkes-Barre, Christine L. Inch of Shiremanstown, Michelle Dorris of Mechanicsburg, Brandon Cook of Wilkes-Barre, Zachary Z. Zermay, Esq. of Los Angeles, CA, Max Cook and wife, Jackie, of Charleston, SC; her seven great-grandchildren: Grace MacFarland and husband, Stewart, of Oceanside, CA, Seth Kenes of Glen Dale, MD, Kay Cook of Wilkes-Barre, Ethan Inch of Shiremanstown, Calli Cook of Wilkes-Barre, Eliana Inch of Shiremanstown, Eden Inch of Shiremanstown; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from GAR Memorial High School in Wilkes-Barre as part of the class of 1942.  She was a member of the former St. Anthony’s Church in Larksville, PA.  Mary and her husband were the former owners of Posten Taxi, Inc. and Kingston Taxi.  She had the most beautiful voice in all the neighborhood of Edwardsville!  While at the Messiah, her singing would lift the spirits of those that heard her beautiful voice. Mary would sing inspirational songs while hanging laundry on the line every Monday morning off her back porch. She excelled at writing in shorthand, and as an exercise, Mary often wrote out the lyrics to song of the 1940’s in shorthand.  She would she would sing those songs from the shorthand lyrics. Mary's laundry was her perfect coordination of work with pleasure!  Everything Mary did she did it exceptional well, with love and grace.  We will miss our Mother forever.

Services will be held at a later date and posted on our website once Mary’s family has finalized the details.

Mary’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Mary’s full obituary, view her memorial picture, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com