Florence M. Cook

Florence Zimmerman Cook was a beautiful caring wife, mother, sister, friend, and her most favorite title “Mema”. She left this world suddenly on August 30, 2022, at age 78. It was important for us, and her to let you know she passed so peacefully with her daughter, Tess holding her hand and the sound of a train in the distance and boats on the river. As trains and boats were a few of her favorite things. Her hospital room was overlooking this gorgeous Hudson Valley she cherished.  She was born to James Olson and Florence Hetzer Olson on July 25, 1944, in Manhattan, NY. After graduating Yonkers High School with honors, she pursed her career as an LPN in the surgical unit of Grasslands Hospital in Westchester, NY now known as Westchester Medical Center. Missing her parents, she decided to move to New Paltz, NY and worked several jobs providing a home for her and her daughter in this new chapter. She became as she would say, an Apple Farmers Wife for many years and often nursed and cared for local familes in need of help with sick or dying family. She was an outstanding Girl Scout Leader, and a Camp Counselor and Nurse at Camp Wendy. Flo was honored to be involved with the Girl Scouts and having a hand in raising some of the most beautiful, smart, women in the community. She spent her spare time assisting Bob Casper with numerous Highland High School Plays and choregraphing the dances. She became President of the PTA and helped improve issues in the school system and helped create a better relationship between people, even if it meant you saw her gruff side; she did it with love and protection in her heart. A friend of hers recently said “Flo always helped create memories.” This next chapter is where she started the greatest chapter of her life; she became a Broadcaster for WRWD she was so entertaining; she would tap on her chest to make it sound like she was in a helicopter, sharing the traffic information! This is where she met the love of her life, Raymond Cook, a local music musician, her “Gentle Giant” as she referred to him. They married in their beautiful home they purchased on December 12, 1993, Flo once again, reinvented herself and taught herself country line dancing! Together they toured all over different states working in so many resorts, campgrounds, local bars, restaurants, charities, weddings you name it! She taught Country Line Dancing with “The Country Pages”. They were a harmonious team, and thoroughly enjoyed their life together. She went on to create the world-renowned country line dance “The Flobie Slide” (she would love if you googled it right now).

After a number of years, Flo and Ray stopped traveling so much as they wanted to spend more time with their Grandson and became an icon at Rocking Horse Ranch; they entertained there for over 20 years. In 2013, Flo had beat Breast Cancer and fully recovered only to find out Ray now had cancer she said, “God made me better so I could take care of my Gentle Giant”. Ray passed only one month after single-handedly caring for him 24/7. He has been waiting for her to arrive and her family finds comfort that she is now again by Ray’s side, tearing up the dance floor. She was known to so many and was always shared a message or loving thought. She was the first one to offer to sit with friends if sick, come to their house with flowers, soup or whatever was needed. She would remove household items -right out from Ray’s nose if someone lost everything in a fire. She was a giver and loved everyone. She was a teacher in every aspect of the word and a great entertainer. If you didn’t know her, she made sure you would!

  She is survived by her adoring family; daughter Theresa Zimmerman Cain, son; Randy Cain, and the light of her life Grandson; Skyler Cain. She was the utmost proudest and oldest sister (and would tell you) to Lucille “Candy” Quick (Randall Quick), Debra Havranek (Joseph Havranek) and Belle Waite (James Waite). She was the Godmother to Jonah Havranek and adored him to pieces. She leaves behind several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Raymond Cook, her niece Tina Quick Squires, and brother-in-law Randall Quick. She will forever be grateful to her BFF Wanda Hunlock, her lifetime friend Eileen Irish and especially her neighborhood angels of friends she adored. Flo also left behind to finish their stories many, many “daughters from another mother” who were a huge part of her life and loved her.  Her spirit will be everywhere, so look for your “sign” from her as this was so important to her. She was a huge supporter of anything local so if you are looking to donate, please pick one of Flo’s favorite charities: People’s Place Kingston, NY, Family of Woodstock New Paltz, and any Breast Cancer foundation you feel comfortable with. She also loved animals so any local shelter you can help we appreciate it.

A Celebration of Life/Flo-Down will be held on October16, 2022 from 12pm to 3pm hosted by and at  Rocking Horse Ranch Resort 600 State Route 44/55 Highland, NY 12528. please feel free to reach out to me i@ tcain68@gmail.com. with any questions.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph J. Darrow Sr. Funeral Home Inc. 39 So. Hamilton St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. (845)452-1840.  To send on condolences please visit www.darrowfuneralhome.org

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