Virginia H. Cook

Virginia Cook, age 98, a resident of Wheaton, Illinois, for 62 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2026. She was born on February 15, 1928, in Hodges, South Carolina, to Charles and Irene Higgins.

On August 13, 1955, Virginia married the love of her life, Richard Cook, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Havre de Grace, Maryland, during Hurricane Carol. Together, they built a beautiful life and shared 70 wonderful years of marriage.

The couple first made their home in Morristown and later Holmdel, New Jersey, before settling in Wheaton, Illinois, in 1966 while Richard was working for Bell Telephone. Virginia worked for many years as a secretary for an insurance agency and later for Bell Telephone.

Virginia had a gift for creativity and enjoyed quilting, sewing, knitting, and playing the piano. She also loved to dance and found great joy in square dancing, line dancing, and round dancing. Following retirement, she and Richard embraced their adventurous spirits and traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting destinations including Russia, China, Egypt, and even the Arctic Circle. Although she traveled far and wide, one place remained on her bucket list—Hawaii.

Above all, Virginia cherished her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and delighted great-grandmother whose caring and lively spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Cook; her children, Carol (Gary) Ourada and Stephen (Rosalynn) Cook; her grandchildren, David (Kristina) Ourada and Lisa (Cameron) Nixon; and her great-grandchildren, Henry Ourada, Willow, and Poppy Nixon.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rev. Dr. Diane Elizabeth Cook; and her siblings, Edwin Higgins, Mae Higgins, Sara Ruth Dorn, and Zulien Clouse.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 N. West Street, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Trinity Episcopal Church.

Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For additional information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027