Headstrong, independent, and fiercely kind. That was Bonnie Cook, the matriarch of our family and yet she was so much more than can be put into words. On June 27, 2023, at the age of 88, Bonnie gained her wings and joined the love of her life, Marvin Cook, in heaven.
Bonnie was born the first of two children to Nellie and Herald Kaley on August 9, 1934, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was blessed with a sister, Sylvia Fern (Kaley) Willits, when she was 2 years old and from then on they were the best of friends.
At the young age of 14, in 1948, Bonnie met Marvin Cook, who would become the love of her life and, many years later, her husband. In June 1952, she graduated with honors as the valedictorian from Coraopolis High School with a love of theater and dance. Instead of traditional college, Bonnie decided to take her passions to the next level by attending the Pittsburgh Playhouse and turned down her acceptance to Carnegie Tech. After a couple years learning, acting, and running stages, Bonnie and Marvin decided to tie the knot on May 19, 1956. From that moment time moved quickly. They purchased a small farm in Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, and then welcomed their children. Son, Kendall Cook, was born in 1957 followed by their daughter, Sherry (Cook) Greenslit, in 1958.
Bonnie was a wonderful mother but never gave up on her love of the theater. So, in 1967 Bonnie helped found the Meadville Community Theater where she used her talents and experience to help teach all ages. After many productions and lifelong friendships were made, Bonnie and Marvin had to make a hard choice. They decided to move out of Pennsylvania to New York and then on to Vermont. They found the Mad River Valley and called it Home. In 1982, Bonnie and Marvin walked away from farming and started The Madmen with just some tools and a vacuum.
Last year, 2022, Bonnie passed the legacy they built on to her oldest grandchildren after 40 years in operation and began her
retirement. Over the years Bonnie enjoyed spending her down time camping, fishing, gardening, seeing musicals and watching the birds from the big windows of her home. She loved to share her knowledge with us, be the voice of reason or a kind word in a sea of distress, a trusted confidant, and a guardian.
Along the way Bonnie was blessed with five grandchildren; Darcy (Ford) Hammond, Heather Cook, Kristen (Beers) Griffith, Kyle Cook and Kaley Cook. As time went on her family grew even larger than she could have imagined with great-grandchildren of which she had four; Korben Hammond, Natasha Nelson, Lyla Cook and Aleshia Griffith. She was even fortunate enough to have known one great-great-grandchild, Greyson, and just after her death the family welcomed Aurora Joy.
Family was the most important thing to Bonnie and it was her family that surrounded her when she finally accepted the last
curtain. No other could replace her or dare try. She will be missed beyond measure and remembered always.
To honor Bonnie's last wishes the family will not be holding a traditional service but rather an intimate private event at her favorite place in September.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in honor of Bonnie to: Waitsfield-Fayston Volunteer Fire Department, 4103 Main St, Waitsfield, VT 05673; Mad River Valley Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 305, Waitsfield, VT 05673 or online at mrvas.org/donate; Mad River Valley Community Pantry, P.O. Box 342, Waitsfield, VT 05673 or online at mrvcommunitypantry.org/get-involved; Meadville Community Theater, P.O. Box 330, Meadville, PA 16335 or online at mctbackstage.com
