Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND - Charlotte Cook went to be with her Lord on April 21, 2015, having lived for almost 95 years. Born in West Newton, MA, she was the daughter of Harold and Helen Parkhurst Cook. Charlotte grew up attending schools in Auburndale, MA. With her family, she attended the Congregational Church where her mother was choir director.
Her mother passed away when Charlotte was a teenager. During the time of her mother’s illness, Charlotte reached out to her cousin Hope Holmes who was the same age. They became like sisters and Charlotte started attending Tremont Temple Baptist Church with Hope’s family. Charlotte’s happiest memories were when she and Hope spent time together. Soon they began attending Bible Camp in the Catskill Mountains. It was during one of the camp sessions that she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.
Charlotte began taking piano lessons in the second grade, and continued all throughout her school years. It was her mother’s dream that she play the organ, and especially Hanel’s Largo. Her music teacher, knowing of her mother’s illness helped to make it become a reality when she was able to play a simplified version for her mother.
Charlotte continued her musical education as a student at Wheaton College in Illinois where she graduated with honors receiving a B.A. degree in music. Following graduation, she took a shorthand and typing course at Newton Secretarial School in order to better her skills for a job. Just as the class was coming to an end, she was offered a job at First Baptist Church in Rockland, Maine, as ‘organist, choir director, secretary and general church help’. She arrived in Rockland on December 31, 1942, and after a two week trial accepted the position, working diligently until her retirement. Even after her retirement she often played the organ at the church.
During her many years at First Baptist Church she served as secretary, organist/pianist for the choir, Sunday school teacher, and Deaconess, always proclaiming Jesus to others through her calm, graceful and gentle spirit. She was affectionately called ‘Cookie’ by the teenagers.
Charlotte’s hobbies included bird watching, trips to Canada, especially enjoying Prince Edward Island. Each year she attended Rumney (NH) Bible conference.
She is survived by several cousins, Jean Willis of Portsmouth, NH, Ellen Lewis of Westwood, MA, Martha Morrell of Los Gatos, CA; and niece Kathleen Bammer of Winslow. She was predeceased by her brother Vincent Cook and her niece Beatrice Sanders.
Visiting hours will be held from 5:00 to 7::00 pm, Monday, April 27, 2015 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 28th at First Baptist Church, 215 Limerock Street. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church.
To share a memory or story with Charlotte's family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.