Obituary of Nancy Caroline Cook

It is with heavy hearts that the family shares the peaceful passing of Nancy Caroline Cook, of Fredericton, on November 5th, 2025 at the age of 88, with her daughter by her side, at Protem Memory Care in Moncton, NB.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, on September 29th, 1937, Nancy was the daughter of the late Kenneth & Audrey (Tovey) Morris. She is survived by her children, Dr. Greg Cook (Peter) of Ontario, Dr. Andrew Cook (Crystal) of Texas, Audrey Cook of Nasonworth; grandchildren, Taryn of England and Colby & Kayla of Texas; her siblings, Jackie MacDonald and Brian (Mary) Morris of Ontario, as well as several nieces and nephews. Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Kenneth and Audrey Morris of Ontario, and her husband, Gerald D. Cook (Jan 25, 2010).

Nancy obtained a Bachelor of Home Economics degree (1959) and a Master of Science in Agriculture (Economics) (1962) from the University of Toronto at Guelph. Between degrees, she held her first full-time job as a Canadian Education Representative for Lighting Fasteners Company, traveling across Canada demonstrating sewing techniques in high school economics departments and department stores.

Following completion of her master’s degree and marrying Gerald, she moved to Fredericton in 1962, and was a faculty lecturer in Economics at UNB and later promoted to Assistant Professor in 1967. In 1973, Nancy introduced the first course in Consumer Economics at UNB. In 1976 she became Acting Director of the Home Economics Branch of the NB Department of Agriculture, and in 1979, Director of the new Food and Nutrition Branch. She provided leadership to the Women’s Institute branches and managed the home economics extension program for the Foods and Nutrition Branch. She was involved with administration of a Malawi/Canada Dairy Cattle Development Project and spent time in Malawi (1982) conducting a national agricultural pre-study.

In 1984, Nancy was appointed Director of Farm Management and Human Resource Development for NB Agriculture. She also served as president of the New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists.

In 1985, she accepted a new position as Regional Director for NB Agriculture. She later continued to serve the province as a finance director. Late in her career, Nancy continued her interest in teaching when she returned as a lecturer at UNB in Introductory Economics and at St. Thomas University in Aging and Sociology.

Her desire for lifelong learning included obtaining a Certificate of Proficiency in French at UNB in 1985 and a Certificate in Gerontology at St. Thomas University in 1998 (age 61). She also did part-time work as a colour and style analyst in the late 1980s, including serving as a consultant for the Atlantic Canada television program “Looks and Lifestyles”.

Nancy had many extracurricular interests and a strong sense of commitment to her church & community. She was a faithful member of Christ Church (Parish) Anglican Church in Fredericton, serving in the choir, vestry and as both a warden and lay reader. She was a volunteer for many organizations including Meals-on-Wheels, Windsor Court, Hospice Boutique, and the Fredericton Playhouse. She served on various boards and committees including the Third Age Learning Center, St. Anne’s Lodge, Anglican Church Diocese, YMCA, TNB, Farraline Home, the Agriculture Institute of Canada and the Canadian Home Economics Association (president 1994 to 1996). Nancy was a proud graduate of Fredericton’s first Seniors Police Academy and also served on the City’s Senior Advisory Committee.

Nancy had many leisure interests, including national & international travel, cruising, RV camping, square dancing, lawn bowling (Gold Medal at Nationals) and refereeing, Aquafit at the Y, and host for an International Educators’ Bed and Breakfast.  Get-togethers with friends and family often included playing board & card games, and most recently, dominoes.

Words alone are not enough to express the family’s immense gratitude to the staff and caretakers at Protem Memory Care for the incredible love, support, compassion and dignity that Nancy received and truly felt while living in Moncton the past several months. A special thank you to Dan, Jackie, Tina, Susan, Pearl and Taya during her final days.

Visitation will be held at Christ Church (Parish) Church (245 Westmorland St, Fredericton NB) on Friday, December 5th, 2025 from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm. A memorial service at the church will follow at 1:00 pm officiated by The Rev. Canon Wandlyn Snelgrove. For those unable to attend in person a live stream of the service will be available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/5507958.

In honour of Nancy’s lifelong commitment to servitude and helping others, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating even a small amount of time or talent to someone less fortunate or in need. Volunteer opportunities in Fredericton can be found at: https://www.connectfredericton.ca/. Donations to the Anglican Church Fundraiser “Power for Cuba” through Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) are also appreciated.

“It is in giving to others that we receive, and in dying that we are born to eternal life.” (Adapted from the Prayer of Saint Francis).

Rest in peace, mom. You will be with us always.