Patricia Cook Obituary

Patricia Jean Cook, affectionately known to family and friends as Pat or Patty Jean, passed gracefully into eternal peace, surrounded by family, on July 3, 2025, in Boerne, Texas. The legacy she forged through kindness, compassion, and boundless love continues to inspire all who knew her.
Born on May 18th, 1938, in Chanute, Kansas, Patricia was the cherished daughter of Richard and Ellen Friederich Keenan. Raised among her large, tight-knit family, Patty Jean cultivated values of devotion, generosity, grit, determination, kindness, and unwavering forgiveness-traits she carried throughout her life, and which defined her deeply loving spirit.
In November of 1960, Patricia married her soulmate and dance partner, Leonard Benjamin (L.B.) Cook. Together they built a beautiful life of adventure lasting many decades, marked by deep companionship, love for travel, and joyful dancing, especially during their memorable cruises and visits to Las Vegas. Whether dancing in the kitchen or at a square-dancing event, together they made every day more joyful. Their marriage exemplified true partnership and inspired everyone who witnessed their love story.
Patricia was a proud and nurturing mother whose steadfast love and support guided her children through all life's joys and challenges. Both Patricia and L.B. were proud to raise their children in a faith-filled home, and gave their daughters a Catholic education at St. Therese and St. Pius X. Some of the lessons she taught her children were to be respectful and kind to others, to "be nice to your sister" and "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all" and "keep the faith."
A dedicated nurse and respected healthcare professional, Patricia brought compassion and practicality to her work. She devoted many years at Spelman Memorial Hospital in Smithville, Missouri, and later as a labor and delivery nurse at St. Luke's in Kansas City. Her work culminated as Head Nurse at a Kansas City retirement home, where her kind heart and gentle care provided comfort to all her patients and their families.
Beyond her career and family, Patricia embraced life fully through her passions-reading, puzzles, fishing, family reunions, camping, casinos and bingo nights, home cooked meals, sweets, and attending musicals, theatrical productions, and concerts, especially a Jimmy Buffet show. Her adventurous spirit made every family gathering warm and memorable-filled with laughter and love.
Patricia was a devout and faithful member of St. Therese Catholic Church for many years, where she lived out her faith, offering guidance, kindness, and comfort to anyone in need. That kindness spilled over into her own home where she always had an open door and safe space for any relative or any of her children's friends.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Leonard, infant son John Patrick, parents Richard and Ellen, brother Billy Richard, and sister Judy. Patricia is survived by her children Christina (Kirk) Williams, Deborah (Jacob Hart) Florence, Loretta Cook, Mary (Jon) Whitaker, and Sarah (Jeremy) Haynes; grandchildren Alexandria, Brittany, Emily, Elizabeth, Rose, Benjamin, and Eli; great-grandchildren Aulani, Aina, Skylar, Eleanor, and Summer; siblings Thelma Ann, Donna, Sherry, Denise, James, and Kevin; along with countless friends, family, and loved ones who now cherish her memory and treasure her incredible legacy.
May Patricia Jean Cook rest in eternal peace, forever remembered with love and honored for the beautiful, selfless soul she was.
A memorial service will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chanute, KS, Saturday, July 19th at 3:00 pm with a luncheon to follow.
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