Rita J. Cook (born Rita Jean Forwith) died peacefully on Aug. 4 in Canton at the age of 86.
Rita was born June 11, 1938, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Margaret B. and Joseph F. Forwith. She graduated from Mansfield Senior High School and attended The University of Toledo before marrying Allen Marcus Cook on Nov. 2, 1957. Rita and Al moved to El Paso, TX, where Al was stationed at Fort Bliss while serving in the U.S. Army. From 1958 through 1967 the couple welcomed their three children. In 1969, they settled in Lexington, which the family called home for the next 50+ years. Rita spent the last six years with her eldest daughter Nancy and son-in-law Michael Cochrane in Canton but continued to enjoy her Lexington friends through occasional girls’ lunch gatherings.
She was a lifelong Catholic, and with her husband and children was a charter member of Resurrection Parish, Lexington, dedicated in 1971.
Bright in both mathematics and English, Rita was valued in several administrative positions for the U.S. Army and Borg-Warner, and worked for 20 years as a medical office manager in Mansfield until retiring in 1990. She volunteered with her children’s schools, Brownies and Girl Scouts, Ponytail Softball, Welcome Wagon, the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Resurrection Parish Funeral Ministry, and Jaycee Wives. She supported the Village of Lexington as its “First Lady” from 1972-1975 while Al was serving as mayor.
Family was Rita’s Number One passion. She championed, cheered and supported her children through every endeavor including their education, sports, music, professions, community service, and personal lives. Her children recall countless summer days when Mom took them swimming at Walton Lake. But any free moments in spring, summer and fall found Rita tending to her gorgeous flower beds and lush landscaping. In retirement she and Al found their greatest joy in grandparenthood, followed by rooting on their Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Indians and Browns, and Lexington Minutemen.
Rita is survived by her children Nancy (Michael) Cochrane, Canton; Patricia (Steve) Wolfrom, Niceville, FL; and Michael (Robin) Cook, Upper Arlington; grandchildren Timothy (Krissy) Cochrane, Chelsea (Brian) Walsh, Amanda Wolfrom, Zachary Wolfrom, and Jessica Cook; great-grandchildren Colin Cochrane and Olive Walsh; sisters Joan (Steve) Hacker, Mansfield and Margo (Richard) Rowen, Lexington; sisters-in-law Carol Forwith, Morrow and Bonnie Cook, Simpsonville, SC; and numerous, loving nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 53 years, Allen; parents Margaret and Joseph; brothers Donald and David; and Aunt Geraldine “Geri” Madden.
Visitation will be at Resurrection Parish, 2600 Lexington Ave., Lexington from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Friday, Aug. 9. The Funeral Mass will follow at the church at 2:00 with a reception afterward in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will take place at Lexington Cemetery. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rita’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support patients and their loved ones at Aultman Hospice and Compassionate Care Center. Gifts can be made online at Aultman.org/hospicegifts or by sending a check made payable to The Aultman Foundation, 2600 Sixth Street SW, Canton, OH 44710.
Herlihy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be sent to herlihyfh.com/obituaries.
Funeral Home: Herlihy Funeral Home
Website: www.herlihyfh.com