Agnes Cooke, aged 74, passed on November 24, 2020 due to complications from Covid- 19. Agnes was born on April 23, 1946 in Chicago to George and Catherine Beemsterboer. She married Tom Cooke in December 1970, who preceded her in death in 1991.
Agnes was an elementary school teacher prior to the birth of her three children. After the death of her husband, Agnes earned a master’s degree and returned to elementary school teaching as a learning disability specialist at Oak Knoll Elementary School in Cary.
Agnes will be remembered as a strong, kind, and loving person. She opened her heart and home to many people throughout the years and was blessed with life-long friends. She bravely battled Parkinson’s Disease in the last years of her life. Agnes’ greatest love in life was her family whom she loved fiercely. “Neither can they die anymore: for they are equal to the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection” (Catholic Bible, Luke 20:36).
Agnes is survived by her children: Mary Cooke-Hall (Patrick), Catherine Cooke, and Tom Cooke (Mitch LeCrone), three grandchildren: Nathaniel, Kerry, and Thomas, siblings: Mary Adduci and Tom Beemsterboer (Judy), nieces: Lisa Van Allen and Theresa Beemsterboer-Garcia, and nephews: Matt Adduci, Stephen, Tim, and Michael Beemsterboer. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Catherine Beemsterboer, and her brother, Paul Beemsterboer.
A Mass celebrating her life will be held on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 10:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in West Dundee, IL. Burial will be at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine, IL. For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Apostolic Christian Highland Oaks nursing care facility, Elgin, IL or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
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Agnes will be remembered by myself and my children as a kind caring teacher who helped all. She went above and beyond for her students and for those that weren’t considered “hers.” She will be missed.
My deepest condolences for your loss. Agnes and I worked together at Oak Knoll School. She was a kind and loving teacher.
My deepest condolences for your loss. Agnes and I worked together at Oak Knoll School. She was a kind and loving teacher.
I just heard about Agnes. She was a dear person. We both started teaching at Oak Knoll the same year. She was a wonderful person and fine teacher