H. Joan Cook

H. Joan Cook, 87, passed away July 21, 2017, at home, after a long illness. She was born in 1930 to John and Helen Link. Joan grew up in Fort Wayne, IN and Toledo, OH before graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1952, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She moved to Indianapolis and joined the “executive training program” with L.S. Ayres department store. She had studied to be an interior decorator but earned a spot in Ayres’ advertising office, using her writing skills and artistic flair. By 1960 when she left to marry George Robert Cook, she had risen to the position of Manager of Direct Mail Advertising.

When she married Bob Cook, after a surprisingly short courtship, she took on the sometimes lonely and unpredictable life of an Army Corps of Engineer officer’s wife. She was always glad she jumped at the chance to be with the love of her life. Together they got to experience travel throughout the U.S. and the world, make many beautiful homes together, and raise two daughters. They enjoyed their retirement and three grandchildren. Their life was shadowed by Bob’s long-term cancer, a constant concern from the late 1980s until his death in 2009.

A 55-year resident of Indianapolis and Carmel, Joan was active in Christ Church Cathedral, St. Alban’s and Trinity Episcopal and Second Presbyterian Churches. She was a member of the Womens’ Committee of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, helping to organize their annual style shows and leading historical tours of downtown Indianapolis. She was a skilled gardener, and loved to be in the woods. She was creative in everything she did, from drawing and painting to her clothes, cooking and holiday decorations. She loved to laugh and play games.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Catherine Balassie (Tim) and Barbara Thompson, her grandchildren Lane Balassie, Ethan Thompson and Duncan Thompson, and her sister Barbara Best (William).

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, July 28 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Carmel, where family and friends are invited to gather from 9:00 am until the time of the service.