Margaret Stover Cook Lived Life of Adventures

Margaret Stover Cook, long-time Island resident died peacefully at home July 1 in West Tisbury, supported by the love of friends and family and in the company of her children.

Born June 8, 1929 to parents Margaret Benita Paine and Chester A. Stover in Scranton, Pa., she spent her youth in the Allegheny Valley, living in Binghamton, Syracuse, Scranton and Camp Hill. She commuted to Dickenson College where she met her future husband, Charles (Chuck) Bennett Cook 3rd. It was at Dickinson that she developed her deep love of early English literature while obtaining her undergraduate degree.

Marg spent her childhood summers at Lake Winola and passed on to her children stories of idyllic times canoeing and rambling with her beloved cousins Kitty, Nancy and Dotty St. John, and her brother Chet.

While newlyweds, she and Chuck lived in Boston as he completed studies at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. With Chuck's specialty in the Middle East and his facility for foreign languages, they soon had their first posting with the U.S. Foreign Service Diplomatic Corps in Tabriz, Iran. The young woman from Camp Hill, met her new life with open arms. They lived in five countries through two revolutions. Marg and Chuck's four children were born in Iran, Sweden and Lebanon. Returning to the States in 1964, they began "civilian life" in Northern Virginia.

During the years in Virginia, Margaret cared for her family and was involved in the usual complement of committees, such as PTA and scouts. However, she soon plunged into the great causes of her time, working for integration and economic justice. Through the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., she and Chuck worked tirelessly and with real sacrifice for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Poor Peoples Campaign and supported peace rallies. She was a founding member of Deborah's Place, an innovative half-way house for women in DC. During all of this time, she faithfully cared for each of the elder members of the family as their needs increased. Finally, Marg and Chuck moved to New England and lived in Franklin where Margaret volunteered at Norwood Hospital as a patient advocate. She loved the deeply engaging work and was recognized as volunteer of the year.

Throughout their many moves and during their time in Virginia and Massachusetts, the Island became more and more "home" as Margaret returned with family to the home of her in laws, Charlie and Hazel Cook, in West Tisbury. In 1994, Marg and Chuck were able to realize her dream to move to the Island year-round.

In their last great adventure as a couple, Marg and Chuck (a Navy veteran) traveled to England and Normandy for the observance of the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Margaret's husband of 43 years, died in August of 1995. Margaret spent her last years deeply involved in Island life, serving on the West Tisbury conservation commission and as a senior Deacon at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury.

People found Margaret to be a beloved friend and, for many, an "adopted" mom. Margaret will be remembered for her salty, irreverent wit, which invited others to be themselves, her ready contributions to community life and her boundless care for others. She enjoyed bird watching, camping with her family and a good cup of coffee with friends. Her grandchildren remember her as loving, caring and always there for you and all were welcome in her home except at New Year's eve. It was then that Margaret hosted her infamous West Tisbury New Year's eve sleep over.

Margaret is lovingly remembered by her children and grandchildren: Pamela and her fiancé Peter Pogue and his daughters Meredyth and Megan; Bradford and Marjorie Cook and their children James, Thomas and Elizabeth; Priscilla and John Karau and their children Jack and Matthew; and William and Debra Cook and their children Emily and Bennett.

In addition, Margaret is lovingly remembered by her brother Chet, his wife Peggy Stover, their sons Ryan and Evan and numerous cousins.

Her memorial service was held at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury on July 6. Interment took place in the family lot at the West Tisbury Cemetery. Donations may be made in Margaret's memory to First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, PO Box 3000, PMB 3111, West Tisbury, MA 02575; Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557; or Women Empowered, P.O. Box 1253, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book.