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Obituary: Beverley “Bev” Ellen Cook

December 20, 2022

Beverley “Bev” Cook (nee Foss), age 92, formerly of Washington Island, WI and Sturgeon Bay, WI and Naples FL, died on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Joanne’s House of Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs, FL.

She was born and raised on Washington Island and raised and raised there along with her three brothers, Douglas, David, and Robert Foss. Beverley was the only daughter of Howard Foss and Marie Vasnicov. She graduated from Washington Island High School in a class of six (two of them named Beverley).

Bev married fellow Islander, Thomas Cook, in 1950. She would proudly tell that all four of her children were born at her Aunt Pearl Haglund’s home on McDonald Road on the Island. Bev was busy from the start with four children under the age of 5.

Tom and Bev raised their family in Racine, WI, where Tom was president of Walker Manufacturing. They moved to Lake Forest, IL when Tom became Chairman of the Board of Tenneco Automotive. His success was due in no small part to the true partnership that was their marriage of 57 years.

When Tom and Bev retired, they split time between Naples and Sturgeon Bay and Washington Island. They enjoyed time spent with family, boating, playing cards, socializing with their many friends. The summer calendar revolved around the Washington Island baseball team’s schedule.

Bev, a devout Christian, was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Washington Island. She also was a member of Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay, WI and Shepherds of the Glade Lutheran Church in Naples, FL.

Bev was a caring and  loving, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. A visit from her great-grandchildren was always the best gift she could receive. In true Foss tradition, Bev loved boat rides. This past summer she enjoyed a trip to School House Beach via pontoon boat. Early on in Naples cruising the canals of Naples or a boat trip to Marco Island were not uncommon. Enjoying nightly card games after dinner, Bev was a superior card player (just ask Gary). Her quick wit, common sense, and infectious humor were enjoyed by all that knew her. Bev was exceptional entertainer and was always prepared for the spur-of-the-moment party when friends and family stopped by, and boy, did they! More than one friend of the family considered her a second mother.

Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; daughter-in-law, Kathy; grandson, Russell; brothers, Doug, Dave, and Bob; along with many dear friends and relatives – most notably her first cousin/”sister”, Barbara Hansen.

She will be missed by her children; Gary, Debbie, Greg, and Brian (Lisa); grandsons, Jason (Denise) and Douglas; great-granddaughter, Liberty and great-grandson, Joel; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

Beverley’s life will be honored with a funeral service held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Washington Island.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:50 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to any of the following:

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Washington Island Foundation.

Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay, WI is assisting the Cook family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Beverley may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.