Joanne Cook

On Saturday, October 4, 2014, Joanne passed quietly away under the mounting stress of her complex health issues. Born August 26, 1934, in Harrison, Arkansas, Joanne lived in the Bakersfield, California, area for some time, but spent most of her 80 years in Oregon. She graduated from 8th grade in the old one room schoolhouse at Umpqua, and went on to attend Sutherlin High School. Forty-nine years later, she earned an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science at Umpqua Community College.

Joanne was the Special Ed. Dept. Secretary, at Umpqua Community College for 11 years, and Administrative Asst. to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners for about 5 years prior to that. She was an active volunteer in the Women of the Moose for most of her 38 year membership. She held all elective offices of the Roseburg Chapter, including Sr. Regent, and was accepted into the prestigious "College of Regents" of the International Order of Moose Lodges. She was also very proud to have qualified for a life membership in the Order of Eastern Star, through her ancestors in the Masonic Lodge.

Despite her commitments to family, job, and organizations, Joanne found time and energy to enjoy bowling, golfing, dancing, and become a State Champion in Moose Lodge Ritual Competition. She also loved to home can fruits and veggies, bake bread and cakes, make divinity and fudge, and to quilt and crochet. After her disability retirement in 1996, she became a dedicated collector of all things flamingo, and had a reputation with antique dealers up and down the west coast as "The Flamingo Lady."

Joanne was preceded in death by two younger brothers, Bill Nelson of Oakland, Oregon, and Jack Nelson, of Elkton, Oregon. She has one surviving brother, Orville "Slim" Nelson, former Mayor of Lakeside, Oregon. She is also survived by three sons, David Thompson of North Las Vegas, Nevada, Edward "Gene" Thompson of El Cajon, California, and Don Zellner of Gervais, Oregon; and by three daughters, Linda Humfeld of Canby, Oregon, Patricia Buck of Newberg, Oregon, and Donna Malvaney of Redmond, Oregon; and by 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and three great great grandsons; and by her husband of the last 36 years, George Cook.

Joanne will be sorely missed by those of us who knew and loved her, but we know her beaming smile will make the skies a little brighter. There will be a Memorial Service at Wilson's Chapel of the Roses on Harvard Ave., in Roseburg, Oregon at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2014 . Attendees encouraged to wear pink. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Moose Charities in Joanne's name www.moosecharities.org