Ann M. Cooke

Ann M. Cooke, of Wallingford, PA, formerly of Brookhaven and Sharon Hill, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born in Philadelphia, Ann was the daughter of the late Frederick and Madeline (nee Hadley) Schied-Quigley. She was one of eight children, five girls and three boys, and experienced hardship at a young age with the loss of her father. Despite those early challenges, Ann’s resilience, determination, and devotion to family became defining qualities that shaped the remarkable life she lived.

Ann married her lifetime partner, Robert “Bob” Cooke in 1957, and together they built a home filled with love while raising their family in Sharon Hill. Prior to Bob’s passing one year ago, they celebrated 68 years of marriage, a testament to their love and commitment to one another.

From an early age, Ann dreamed of becoming a nurse. While raising her children, she steadily pursued that dream by taking classes whenever she could. Through incredible perseverance, she earned her Registered Nursing degree from Delaware County Community College at the age of 48 and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Widener University. She dedicated her nursing career to caring for others at Fitzgerald-Mercy Hospital, Taylor Hospital, and later at The Belvedere, where she served as a Clinical Reimbursement Coordinator. Education remained deeply important to Ann throughout her life, and she took great pride in sharing her knowledge, wisdom, and experience with those around her.

Ann was a longtime parishioner of Holy Spirit Church in Sharon Hill and later Our Lady of Charity Church in Brookhaven. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life and guided her commitment to kindness, service, and always doing what she believed was right. Although her faith was profoundly tested by the heartbreaking loss of her five-year-old son, Bobby, that tragedy further strengthened her desire to care for others and played a significant role in her pursuit of a nursing career.

She cherished time spent at her vacation home in Marmora, New Jersey, where many treasured family memories were made. Some of her greatest joys were vacations with her grandchildren, who meant the world to her. Whether relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun outdoors, or spending countless summer days at the Brookhaven Swim Club watching her grandchildren laugh and play while enjoying an ice-cold lemon water ice, Ann found happiness in life’s simple moments surrounded by the people she loved most.

Ann will be remembered for her compassion, constant love for her family, kind heart, and beautiful blue eyes. She was straightforward and honest, offering advice that was sincere and heartfelt, even when it came in the form of tough love. She loved photography and videography and was passionate about documenting family memories, ensuring that special moments with her children and grandchildren would be cherished for generations.

Above all else, Ann was the heart of her family. She was a strong, devoted, and fiercely loving mother whose care was often expressed through quiet sacrifice and unwavering guidance. Her strength, resilience, kindness, and remarkable work ethic left a lasting impression on her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and proud grandmother and great-grandmother.

Ann faced dementia with extraordinary courage and grace, never complaining despite the many hardships she endured. During the final years of both Ann’s and Bob’s illnesses, her daughter, Robin, and son, Adam, lovingly devoted themselves to caring for their parents with compassion, dignity, and consistent dedication.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Madeline Schied; her stepfather, Edward Quigley; her beloved husband, Robert “Bob”, her sons, Stephen, Mark, and Robert W. “Bobby” Cooke; and her siblings Fred, Effie, Billy, Mary, and George.

She is survived by her loving children, Robin (Wayne) Merkle and Adam Cooke; her daughter-in-law, Barbara Cooke; her beloved grandchildren, Stephen, Jennifer, Kevin, Brittany, Dan, Ryan, Luke, Drew, and Adrianna/Asher; her cherished great-grandchildren, Elliot, Juniper, Georgia, and Cameron; her sisters, Helen DiSpaldo and Madeline (William) Haas; and many nieces and nephews who referred to her as Aunt Annie.

Ann’s legacy of love, strength, perseverance, faith, and humility will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at D’Anjolell-Stigale Memorial Home, 3260 Concord Road, Aston, PA 19014. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 3255 Concord Road, Aston, PA (directly across from the funeral home). Interment will take place at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

Condolences can be made at www.danjolell.com

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