CAMILLE COOKE
July 4, 1958-May 17, 2015
Camille Cooke, co-owner of The Electrode Store Inc., died unexpectedly May 17, 2015, at the University of Washington Medical Center following surgery to relieve symptoms of her decades long battle with inflammatory bowel disease.
Camille is survived by her husband, Tim Cooke; sons, Sergeant 1st Class Daniel C. Cooke and Sean M. Cooke; four grandchildren; her beloved goddaughter, Janice Taylor Creel; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in North Carolina; and many, many close friends.
Her proudest, most cherished title, other than being Tim's wife, was being "Grammy" and "Tutu."
Camille was born in Goldsboro, N.C., July 4, 1958, to Murphy Ham and Hazel Rivenbark.
Orphaned at age 11, she was raised by her Aunt Thelma and Uncle Charles Warrick.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and held a variety of jobs of increasing complexity and responsibility throughout her life until coming to work at The Electrode Store.
Oct. 29, 1994, she married Tim in Keauhou Kona, Hawaii, beginning a life journey of adventure and discovery, traveling around the United States, Canada and Europe.
Mostly for business reasons, their travel adventures always included Camille's love of fine food, wine, shopping and making friends along the way.
She and a few cherished girlfriends joked about being charter members of P.I.S.T (the Professional International Shopping Team), and took every opportunity to refine that expertise.
Born the 4th of July, Camille was very patriotic. She took pride in supporting Tim earning his Master of Military History degree from Norwich University.
Since she was the primary editor of most of his papers, she felt like she owned part of that degree herself (and had the graduation ring to prove it).
She also found an outlet for her patriotism through support for Lance Cpl. Christopher Camero VFW Post 12122 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and the Elks Lodge of Kailua Kona.
The other great love(s) of her life were her puppies. She brought a little mixed breed, Teddie, into her marriage, and over the years, subsequently loved Rozie, Riker, Whiskey, Romeo, Gunner and her newest puppy, 6-month-old Dasher.
The surgery that prematurely ended her life was intended to be a new beginning; she looked forward to being pain-free, watching her grandchildren grow and especially the pending birth of Janice's baby in September.
A memorial celebration of her life will be held at the family home between 1 and 5 p.m. June 7, 2015.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Camille's name may be made to Pets for Vets or VFW Post 12122 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 31, 2015 10:20 AM