Obituary - Anabelle-E Cook

On Sunday, the 9th of December, a memorable woman, whose first loves were music and dance, swayed to the bells of heaven and sank gently, rhythmically, into the arms of God. A woman of passion and conviction. A woman to whom a small act of kindness earned a wealth of gratitude. Annabelle Elizabeth Cook (Lynch). Our mother, sister, grandmother and aunt. One of three Irish, Catholic sisters and five brothers, Annabelle was born and grew to ripe young womanhood in the small and dusty Medicine Hat of 1915. Her beauty and her zest for life caught the eye of an alert young man who quickly put a ring on her finger before leaving for England and the Second World War. Roland John (Slim) Cook left more than his young bride behind. Baby David was born while his soldier papa was overseas. Anne held her child close, and waited four long years for the return of her beloved. After the war, Anne and Slim invited four more "Cooks" into their expanding world; a world of gaiety, laughter and music. The young war-bride soon found herself in the centre of a large and vibrant family. In 1962, Anne and her children, along with Ellen Lynch (her mother and the children's grandmother) travelled with Slim to Winnipeg, and started a new life amongst strangers in a big city ­ a brave act for a shy, small-town girl. Not surprisingly, she made many close and enduring friendships during the twenty years they lived and worked in the centre of Canada. After the children had grown and their work was done, Anne and Slim set sail back across the prairies to the old hometown. They both lived so happily here; gathering up the remains of family and friends and throwing open their doors to their robust brood of visiting children and grandchildren. What was happiness to Annabelle? Happiness was nothing more, but nothing less, than being awash in the sounds (the music) of love. She took pride in each and every one of us. She gave us her heart unflinchingly. She put her trust and her high hopes in us all. We have her to thank for our zest for living and our respect for the lives we've been given. She made us laugh; she was a kind, loyal and infinitely complex and marvelous woman. Dance on, Annabelle Elizabeth! Move amongst the stars with your dearest of partners; your beloved Slim. Remembered fondly and with great love by your children; David, Susan, Patrick, Shelley and Sandra; grandchildren; Ron (Mona), Randall, Michael, Thomas, Ellen, Dayna, Jyll, Daniel, and great-grandsons, Rory and Alex, brother, Mickey Lynch, Sister-in-law, June Cook; daughter-in-law Shelley-Rae, sons-in-law Mario and Greg, nieces Shirley-Ann, Donna and Barbara; nephews Bill (Gail) and Dick; dear Wpg. friends, Charlotte, Wendy and Al, and Cathy Boyer of the M.H. VON. Annabelle was predeceased by her husband in 1995. The Funeral Service will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at 2:00 P.M. Interment will follow at a later date. Honourary pallbearers are sons-in-law, Mario Guerra, Greg White and Bill Klasky. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Palliative Care Centre where Anne received such tender care, 666 - 5 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, T1A 4H6.