Louise W. “Tota” Cooke, 78 Hogansburg

Mrs. Louise W. “Tota” Cooke, 78, of 1068 Drum Street Road, passed away on Wednesday evening, October 6, 2010 at Fletcher-Allen Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont. She had been in failing health since June.

Louise was born July 20, 1932 at the family home in Hogansburg, the daughter of the late Jacob and Mary Bero Wood. She graduated from Massena High School. She later went to North Country Community College, where she received her LPN Degree in 1974. After graduating, she worked for a short time at the Highland Nursing Home in Massena. In 1980, she graduated from SUNY Canton becoming a Registered Nurse. On November 29, 1952, she married Alec A. Cooke at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Jacobs, officiating.

Louise worked for many years at the St. Regis Mohawk Health Service, as the Director of Medical Outreach and the Pre-Natal Community Coordinator, training mom’s to be and new parents, the skills of parenting. After her retirement, she became a volunteer Tota for the St. Regis Mohawk Head Start. She was also an EMT with the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance at one time. She was a communicant of St. Regis Catholic Church and a member of the St. Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens. She enjoyed traveling to various Kateri Conferences, quilting and sewing. She also enjoyed cooking, especially Sunday dinners, playing cards and Radio Bingo.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years, Alec; four children, Rod Cooke and his wife, Karen of Massena, Gail Cooke of Akwesasne, Mark Cooke and his wife, Maryellen of Akwesasne andRoger Cooke and his wife, Julie of Brasher Falls; a chosen son, Robert Lattrelle and his wife, Verity of Burlington, VT; 11 grandchildren, Chanel, Jonelle, Patrick, Beau, Tom, Alison, Kelly, Jeff, Kyle, Erin, and Christopher; a great granddaughter, Makenna; three sisters, Helen White of Massena, Diane Linzy and her husband, Dave of Rochester and Darlene Jacobs and her husband, Wallace of Akwesasne; two brothers, Joseph Wood and his wife, Christine of Akwesasne and William Wood and his wife, Claire of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, Dewey Wood; and his twin sister, Phyllis at birth.

Friends may call at her home beginning Saturday 7:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 2:00 p.m. at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. George H. Belgarde, SJ, celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hogansburg. Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance.

Condolences may be made online at www.donaldsonfh.com.