Dominican Sister of Peace Sister Philomena Cook, 85, died on November 23, 2020, at Akron General Cleveland Clinic.
Sister Philomena was born Frances Lucille to Elizabeth Marconi and Fred Cook of Alliance, OH. She attended and graduated from our founded school, Our Lady of the Elms High School. She entered the Congregation in 1952, made first profession in 1954, and took her final vows in 1960.
Her early ministry was at her own alma mater, Our Lady of the Elms, where she served at the Preschool, made altar breads and helped in the Motherhouse Infirmary.
She was called to serve as a caretaker and graduated from Saint Joseph Practical School of Nursing in Akron in 1959, earned a certificate in Pod geriatrics from Saint Vincent Hospital and Medical Center in Toledo, studied Rehabilitation at Marquette University, and took courses at Akron University for Long Term Care and Psychiatric Nursing in the Elderly.
Sister Philomena was one of the first nurses at St. Edward Home in Fairlawn. She ministered at Allen Memorial Nursing Home in Mobile, AL, then returned to her hometown to serve as Congregational Health Care Coordinator, Infirmary Administrator, and liaison for Regina Health Center at the Akron Motherhouse. She also served as Program Assistant at Manor Care and Program Consultant at Sunrise Assisted Living in Montrose, OH, which later became Brookdale Senior Living.
Sister Philomena put her enormous creativity to work for both her patients and her community. She researched, developed, and implemented many programs that focused on enhancing her patient’s sense of self-esteem and dignity. After she retired, she volunteered at the Country Clothing Center and Soup Kitchen and helped with community projects, including assisting with the creation of educational projects for children who were missing school due to COVID-19. She also recycled used greeting cards into new and more beautiful cards for use by her community – Sisters from all over the country sent cards to help her with this work.
Sister Philomena is survived by her brother, Alfred; sister, Claudia Rowley both of Alliance; niece, Lisa Danford, nephew, and grandniece.
Private burial services were conducted at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, OH, on December 2, 2020. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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