Jeannie Renee Cook, 48

Jeannie Renee Cook, 48, passed away peacefully at home in Columbia Falls, of natural causes, on Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012.

She was born on Sept. 16, 1963, in Vancouver, Wash., the daughter of George Lane and Myrna Lou (Bond) Cook.

When she was an infant, the family moved to Hot Springs. When she was 12 years old, her mother passed away, and then she joined the family of Mike and Sharron Cottet, and their sons Tyson and Chad. She remained with them until she graduated from high school in Hot Springs.

After graduation, she worked for Western Bee. She then took a nanny job in Washington, D.C., for the next 16 years. Her new family then was Brian and Cuyler Kidney, and their children, Blair, Elizabeth and Desmond. Not only did she love this family, she also was given the opportunity to travel with them to France, Italy, London and Australia. She also got to meet President Ronald Reagan and attended his inauguration.

Jeannie returned to Montana to help her brother and nephew Cody, whom she adored and help raise.

Jeannie was then hired by Glacier Bank’s Evergreen branch as a teller on Feb. 18, 2002. She ended up as assistant vice president/operation supervisor.

She then found another family she loved and cared for, her co-workers and customers.

It was then that she met the love of her life, Delray, and together they spent time enjoying life at their cabin at Bootjack Lake, where they would fish, hunt, cut wood, go four-wheeling or just read a good book on the deck.

Jeannie always enjoyed the family gatherings around the campfires or wood stoves, and when football season was on, let’s just say she was a good sport.

Jeannie loved to cook and collected many cookbooks. She was everyone’s best friend. Her great sense of humor and love for people and dogs will always be remembered.

For never having children of her own, she was still able to raise and love so many. She will be deeply missed.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents, George Lane Cook and Myrna Lou Bond Cook; and her favorite dog, Quigley.

Jeannie is survived by her partner in life, Delray Gronley; many brothers and sisters, including Susan Warnock Howlett and husband, Glenn, of Polson; John Warnock of Hot Springs; Greg Warnock of Longmont, Colo.; Michelle Cook and Tina Cook Green, Georgia Cook and husband, Albert Drebes, of Ronan; and Jessie Cook of Ronan; and many nieces and nephews and extended family. She also left behind her two dogs, Chelsea and Griz.

Funeral services for Jeannie will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. The family will have a private inurnment, which is planned for later this summer.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the March of Dimes Montana Chapter, 643 Grand Ave., Suite B, Billings, MT 59101; or to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 100 Adopt A Pet Way, Kalispell, MT 59901.