Stephenie Kay Cook

Stephenie Kay Cook July 4, 1951 April 1, 2012 Stephenie Kay Cook, 60, of Portland and Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, died on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012, surrounded by family at home, ending a brave and dignified journey of nearly three years with ovarian cancer. Stephenie was born on the Fourth of July, 1951, in Freeport, Illinois, a date and place of great meaning to her. Independence Day, with its fireworks and festivity, held a special place in her heart, which she annually celebrated with vigor. Raised in different towns in Illinois, she left to attend college at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City, taking in all of its offerings. In 1978, she graduated from Vanderbilt Law School with her JD and began her legal practice as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn. At Vanderbilt she met her husband, Rick, with whom she shared a full and wonderful life, which lead them to homes in New York City, Norwalk CT, Raleigh NC, Sudbury MA, Manchester ME, and lastly, Portland. Stephenie successfully transitioned from lawyer to educational leader, with particular dedication to helping and seeing public school students fulfill their aspirations. She served as an elected school committee member for 9 years in Sudbury, twice chairing the committee. She then worked with various school districts throughout the Commonwealth, guiding them through challenging leadership projects and issues. She came to Maine full-time in 2002, serving as the Executive Director of the Maine Educational Leadership Consortium. Most recently Stephenie worked with the MELMAC Education Foundation, actively assisting a host of high schools and their students throughout the state. In addition to her husband, Stephenie is survived by two children, their son Rich of Seattle, WA, and daughter Sarah, who recently returned to Portland from Chicago. She was particularly blessed to know and be survived by her grandson, Ryder, born in May 2011 to Rich and his wife, Gretchen. Stephenie also leaves her father, R. Stanley Smith, and twin sisters Allison and Leslee, and her husband Jim and son Jamie, of Atlanta GA. A memorial service for Stephenie will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn Street, Portland, Maine, 04103. Arrangements are by A.T. Hutchins, LLC Funeral and Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland. To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: First Lutheran Church Calumet Summer Campership Fund 132 Auburn Street Portland, ME 04103

Stephenie Kay Cook

July 4, 1951 - April 1, 2012

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