Ada R. Cook

Tue, 10/02/2018 - 12:45pm

Ada Rowe Cook, 96, died on Sept. 22, 2018 at Seal Rock Healthcare in Saco.

She was born Nov. 30, 1921 in Boothbay Harbor to J. Bryan and Margaret Sawyer Rowe. After high school graduation in 1939, she attended Wilfred Academy of Beauty Culture in Boston. Following completion of that program, she returned to the Harbor and, at the urging of her mother, opened her shop called “Ada Rowe’s Beauty Nook.” In those days, A.H. Benoit clothing company had a summer store close by and that is how she met her husband, John Cook, who was beginning his career in retail. They were married for 40 years until his death in 1983 and lived and raised their family in Portland and Lewiston.

In 2000, Ada moved to Old Orchard Beach, where some of her best days were spent. She so enjoyed her morning beach walks, entertaining her “Golden Girls” group from Lewiston and making many new special friends in her condo. In 2015, she moved to The Inn at Atlantic Heights in Saco. There she met and welcomed more new friends into her life who became very dear to her.

Through the years, those who knew her well, knew what an avid sports fan she was. They also knew that she loved a “winner” and she did not enjoy visits or phone calls during a game or a match!

Ada, or “Missy” as she became known to many after the birth of her first grandchild, is survived by her son, Terry Cook, and her daughter Peg Johnson and her husband Bill, all of Old Orchard Beach. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Mark Johnson and wife, Tanya, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Julie Johnson of York, John Cook of Colorado, Jim Cook of Asheville, North Carolina; and great-grandchildren Liam and Hazen Johnson.

So very important in Ada’s life is her “other daughter,” Mona Flanagin, of Hampton, New Hampshire; Mona’s daughters, Kelly Tortolano and husband, Mike, and their children, Kasey and Shea; Shauna Belanger and husband, Bob and their children, Audrey, Adele and Alyse.

Over the years, Ada did remarkably well keeping up with the lives of nieces and nephews who survive her. She was especially close to her nieces, Sue, Nancy and Marianne, of Boothbay Harbor and Florida. The memories she made with “Charlie’s Angels” and their families brought her so much happiness.

At her request, there will be no service, as she specifically stated that she does not want people standing around talking about how much she loved chocolate and dogs!

If anyone wishes, a donation in her name could be made to the town of Boothbay Harbor - Footbridge Enhancement Fund, established in 2011 in her brother Charlie’s memory: Town of Boothbay Harbor - Footbridge Enhancement Fund, 11 Howard Street, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.