Clare W. Cook passed away peacefully in her home on May 7, 2020. She was 98. She was born in New York City to William and Margaret Dewfall on November 29, 1921 and grew up with her sister, Elizabeth, in Queens Village. She attended PS 33, Jamaica High School and Queens College. Clare met the love of her life, Warren Cook, in November of 1943. Their love story took place during World War II with letter writing and reunions during furloughs, and they were married in March of 1945 before Warren was transferred overseas to Japan. Upon Warren’s discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1946, the couple lived with Clare’s mother in her home in Queens Village. The family expanded with the births of three daughters, Ginny, Judy and Patti. In 1951, they moved to Long Island to a newly built home in North Merrick, with their 3 daughters and Clare’s mother. Two more children, Chris and Bill, joined the family. Warren’s mother, Emily, lived with the family briefly from 1966-1969. It was a full house but one filled with love, laughter and baked goods – always baked goods!

Over the years, Clare always placed the needs of her family above her own and provided loving care to her husband, children, mother and mother-in-law. A devote Catholic, Clare attended Mass as frequently as possible, often daily, walking to and from the Church. Over the course of almost 60 years, Clare volunteered her time to her parish, Sacred Heart, as a CCD teacher and as a member of the Rosary Society. She counted money from the Sunday Mass collections, belonged to a prayer group for the sick of the parish, and washed and ironed altar linens. Clare often would drive her Church friends to Mass or to doctor appointments, and took time to visit homebound neighbors. Clare loved to host gatherings for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and Christmas, which were frequent and lively. She enjoyed nothing more than to have a house filled with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – the more the merrier. Visitors were always welcomed and encouraged to stay.

Over the years, Clare attended numerous recitals, sports games, plays and concerts to cheer for her grandchildren. Clare was an avid reader, and enjoyed gardening, doing crossword puzzles and listening to music. She loved playing all sorts of games, but especially Scrabble, Yahtzee and Rummikub with her children and grandchildren. Clare loved vacationing each summer at Burke’s Tall Pines cottages on Loon Lake, in the Adirondacks, owned by Warren’s cousin, Dot, and her husband, Ed Burke. She enjoyed a good Manhattan, and loved having a dessert with every meal. Family was everything to Clare. Her greatest legacy was instilling values of unconditional love, family loyalty, care of older or ill family members, religious faith, and service to the family she leaves behind. These are values learned from generations before and will continue to the generations to follow. Clare is survived by her five children, Virginia (Ginny) Veraszto, Judith (Judy) Larsen, Patricia (Patti) Perricone and her spouse, Peter, Christine (Chris) Biegner and her spouse, Michael, and William (Bill) Cook and his spouse, Christine; fifteen grandchildren: Tracy, Kristine, Christopher, Matthew, Randi, Andrea, Thomas, Stephen, Daniel, Laura, Katherine, Connor, Emily, Ryan and Maggie; eleven great-grandchildren: Layne, Elizabeth, Michael, Matthew, Kenley, Colin, Genny, Milly, Henry, Abby and Jude; and one great-great grandson, Eli. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Warren, son-in-law, Roy Veraszto, and grandson, Andrew. Clare was fortunate to live in her home until her death which is a source of comfort to all of us. A special thank you to neighbors who helped in various ways over the years, and to her dedicated caregivers, Deloris and Adama, who provided invaluable care to her during her final years in her home. Mom, thank you for all of the love you have given to our family. We love you and will miss you dearly.