Mary Cooke Obituary

MARY MORAGNE COOKE May 27, 1936 ~ June 25, 2022 A Celebration of Life for community leader, environmental conservationist, historic preservationist and philanthropist, Mary Moragne Cooke will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Central Union Church. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Mary was 86 years old and is survived by daughters: Juliette Cooke, Catherine Cooke (Senator Les Ihara, Jr.), Edith Cooke; grandchildren Cedar and Sam Cummins and sister Sally Mist. She was most proud of being born in the Koloa Dispensary and cherished growing up on Kaua'i before moving to Punahou for grades 10-12 ('54). Staunch stewards of the Hawaiian culture, Mary and her husband Samuel "Sam" Alexander Cooke (1937-2015) founded Manoa Heritage Center in 1996 as a nonprofit organization to preserve the ancient Kuka'o'o Heiau and to inspire people to be thoughtful stewards of their communities, and Hawai'i's past, present, and future. A respected and beloved member of the community, Mary co-founded Malama Manoa and was an active leader in numerous organizations such as the Garden Club of Honolulu, Punahou School, Honolulu Museum of Art, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hawai'i Foundation and the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua'i. Mary's family would like to extend their gratitude for the overwhelming expressions of aloha after her passing, and they look forward to meeting everyone on February 18. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Manoa Heritage Center, 2856 O'ahu Avenue, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822 or online: www.manoaheritagecenter.org