Doreen Mary Cook

PORTLAND – Doreen Mary Cook, 88, of Portland and formerly of South Portland, passed peacefully at Fall Brook Commons with her three children at her side.

Born on March 12, 1937 in Portland, to Joseph and Julia Gallant of Portland, Doreen attended catholic schools and graduated from Cathedral High School in Portland in 1954. She continued her education at Northeast Business School on State Street in Portland.

Doreen met the love of her life, Thomas H. Cook, while working at the soda fountain counter on Congress Street. They were married for nearly 60 years. Tom and Doreen focused on raising their three children, the family enjoyed annual vacations camping at Sebago and Long Lake campgrounds. Doreen also enjoyed day trips to area beaches with the kids.

Her clerical career transitioned to hospitality and catering, providing her the flexibility to stay home with her children and support the variable schedule of Tom’s career as a firefighter. While working at Carolyn’s Caterers in Cape Elizabeth, Holiday Inn in Portland, and Tony Roma’s in South Portland, Doreen met many public officials and Hollywood celebrities with whom she would always request an autograph. This included William Shatner of Star Trek, multiple U.S. Presidents and state officials.

She loved socializing with food, especially having lobster rolls while looking out at Casco Bay. Other favorite outings were her annual trips to Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis for Pier Fries and clam cakes. She was also a big fan of donuts – from almost anywhere. Nana Doreen would always bake chocolate chip cookies, a favorite for her kids and grandchildren.

She would travel to North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Florida, to visit family as often as she could. Doreen loved to take in a good Broadway show with an appreciation for local productions and the South Portland High School musicals.

She created many colorful handcrafted items: painted ceramics, knitting, crocheting and rug hooking. The creative, social time at ceramics and rug hooking was regularly in her schedule. She took pride in her flower gardens at her home on Anthoine Street in South Portland for over 60 years.

She is survived by her three children, Linda (Cook) Greer, Dana Cook and wife Kelly, and Cheryl (Cook) Lacke and husband Chris. She was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Eric Greer, Leah Greer, Lindsey Prescott, Tyler Cook, Bailey Lacke, Madeline Lacke, Nolan Lacke; and two great-grandchildren, Evelyn Prescott and Rowan Prescott.

She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Cook; brothers John and Joseph Gallant and sisters Lorraine Crawford, Eileen Daicy, and Joan Lancia.