Betty Cook

For Betty Cook, the artistic and the humanitarian were one in the same. She wanted only to bring joy to as many people as possible, a feat she approached with an amazing energy that would accompany her throughout her life.

Though the life-saving antibiotic penicillin debuted in 1929, the year is better remembered for the stock market crash that sent America into the Great Depression. For the Haynes family of Grand Rapids, the year held yet another meaning. It was then that their daughter, Betty Irene, was born.

Betty's exact day of birth was August 30, 1929. She was one of three children born to her parents, Robert and Effie, though her only brother would pass away before reaching adulthood. Robert Haynes loved to entertain his children with magic. It was a pastime his daughter Betty would come to inherit. Betty loved the arts and music and continued to enjoy them for all the years of her life.

After graduating from Creston High School, Betty went to work for the Grand Rapids Press and later for Sears. Though these jobs were a starting point, Betty knew her real calling was to actively serve her community. As a step towards this ambition, she began working at Indian Trails Camp teaching music therapy.

This position led to her next which was at Mary Free Bed Hospital. Betty became the Director of Recreation, using her natural talents to encourage and entertain everyone who walked in the door. She made her rounds throughout the hospital, though the children's unit was unquestionably her favorite. As a future Lieutenant Governor in the Kiwanis Clubs, Betty was able to give the hospital children an incredible gift. Not only were they lucky enough to have her as their friend, she also gave them the "K Kottage." It was a project entirely organized by Betty which brought together a total of 27 Michigan District Kiwanis Clubs. Their generous efforts gave the children at Mary Free Bed Hospital a more comfortable and friendly place to pass their time, perhaps one of the greatest gifts a sick child could receive.

Betty spent a lot of time outside of work with the children in her own family, including her nieces and nephews. She took the kids on all kinds of trips whether they were across the country or smaller adventures close to home. Family was always a central part of Betty's life, especially considering that she lived with her parents. Even after her father passed away, Betty continued to live with her mother and the pair loved to travel together with the rest of their family.

Betty's love of music was another of the constants in her life. She eventually went back to school to study it, attending Grand Rapids Community College and later receiving her BA in Music from Grand Valley State University.

Betty incorporated music into her life every day. She taught piano lessons for many years, sang and played piano for Second Congregational Church's worship services and often volunteered to play for other audiences, including the Welcome Home for the Blind and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. She was also a vocal soloist with the Grand Rapids Symphonettes and assistant conductor with the Walter Husted Orchestra. She sang with other groups as well, such as, the Mother Singers and the Silvertones Choir. To put it mildly, music was a huge part of Betty's life. It was yet another way that she was able to share her passion for life and music with others.

Having graduated with a degree in music, Betty eventually became the Director of Recreation Therapy at Kent Community Hospital. It was certainly the most memorable of the places she would work, mostly because it is where she met her husband, Leonard Cook. Though his personality was not quite as outgoing as Betty's, the two were a perfect compliment to each other. They began dating and eventually married in the late 1970s, when Betty was nearly 50.

Betty had waited many years to become a wife, yet her married life was all the better for it. She and Leonard were a perfect match. They thoroughly enjoyed every moment together traveling all over the world and making many lasting friends as they went along. Betty kept Leonard active in his later life, helping both of them to make the most of the years they shared.

Leonard passed away in 2001, but his love continued to inspire Betty. She enjoyed staying busy with all sorts of activities, all of which served the community. She was a member of the Palestine Shrine #1, the Peninsular Chapter #65 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Michcon Golden Age Club, West YMCA and Pool Friends. For a period of time she also served as president of the Silver K Kiwanis Club, volunteered at Catherine's Care Center and the Creston Neighborhood Association. And as a cancer survivor, Betty also organized a cancer support group at Second Congregational Church and was a member and volunteer at Gilda's Club.

What gave Betty Cook the greatest joy was sharing herself with others, offering to them the most precious thing she possessed - her time. It is a gift none of the recipients of her kindness will ever forget.

Betty Irene Cook, age 74 of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior April 10, 2004. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard; her parents Robert and Effie Haynes; and her nephew, Michael Block. Betty is survived by a sister, Olive (Donald) Vander Male; sisters-in-law Cornelia Ooms and Madelyn Bylsma; brother-in-law Alfred Doornbos; nephews and nieces Patrick and Nancy Block, Gregory and Natalie Block, Jonathan and Kelly Block, Shirley Block, Willette Ooms, Ardene and Bill Lamer, Anne and Wayne Van Zomeran, Lorene and Robert Spoolhof, Gordon and Ruth Bylsma; step-daughter Marcia Kim of Montana; 4 step grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren; cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at 2 p.m. at Second Congregational Church. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with her family on Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. at Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE and on Tuesday at the church for one hour prior to the service. Betty actively supported so many wonderful organizations, but specifically mentioned that she would appreciate memorial contributions to Gilda's Club, Catherine's Care Center, Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Chapel, Outreach Fund of Second Congregational Church or Welcome Home for the Blind. You may read Betty's life story, share a favorite memory, send flowers or make a memorial contribution by visiting her personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.