Marion Ethel Cook Lloyd Obituary (1926 - 2017)

“There is something about losing your mother that is permanent and inexpressible-a wound that will never quite heal”.It is difficult to find the simple words to describe a woman as complex as Marion Cook Lloyd. It is not easy to adequately pay tribute to a life so well lived. Mom was such an example of loyalty, compassion, and unconditional love. “She was one of a kind, lovely, fashionable, well-read, smart, curious, fun, interested and interesting” She enriched the lives of others thru her generous nature. .Mom graced the world with her presence August 6, 1926 in White Plains, New York. The second daughter of Albert James Cook and Frances Elizabeth Butler Cook, she had 3 siblings, Alice, Donald and Richard Cook. Her love of learning began as a young girl in the White Plains, N.Y. school district and continued throughout her life. She attended and graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing as a Registered nurse in 1948 and soon after Mom and her best friend, Ernie, embarked on a journey which would lead her to New Orleans, La. This was quite a daring adventure for two women to make a move so far from home. Mom’s sense of adventure and her quest to See and do it all were evident throughout her life. As an industrial nurse, working for American Cyanamid, living in the French Quarter in the early fifties, she met the man of her future, Julius Emery Lloyd. They were married June 4, 1955 and were blessed with 62 years of companionship, and devoted love for one another, and love for their family and lifelong friends. They settled in Huntsville, Alabama in 1958 when the Space Program took Julius to Thiokol Corporation. Marion was a social butterfly, active in gardening clubs, ”Queens of Spades”, Tennis at the Racquet Club, Bridge gatherings and Activities at the Museum of Art. She was a founding member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the first woman elected to the Vestry of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Summers were spent on the beaches of Florida with her family and close friends. She spent several years as a nurse for the American Red Cross and after retirement she was an active volunteer. After nearly 40 years in Huntsville, and a lifetime of making friends and memories, Thiokol sent them” kicking and screaming” to Utah for two years. The mountains, the distinctive seasonal activities and the friends she made thru Newcomers and Good Shepard Episcopal Church appealed to her sense of adventure, and they stayed in Utah after retirement. She lived by her motto, “every day I wake up and I am grateful, so I make the most of every day.” Mom certainly did just that; She and Dad were fortunate to be able to travel the world after retirement and they enjoyed many adventures thru Overseas Travel. She loved to chase the sunset, and to gaze at full moons. She loved to shop and was a master at finding the perfect outfit at 70% off at fine clothing stores. She had an outfit for every occasion. Her style was classy, both in her appearance as well as her demeanor. She was Open minded, non-judgemental, and accepting of people and situations. Mom attended her first Grateful Dead concert with her son, James was in 1995!! Her appreciation of music was present in her everyday life and while classical was her favorite, she was open to all. She loved to attend, Ogden Symphony performances, fine wine tasting parties, Gourmet dinner clubs and to Read. She was a passionate reader and a gifted, creative artist until her eyesight was taken by macular degeneration. Her watercolor works have hung in the halls of Ogden Blue and the Eccles Community Art Center, and they hang in our home today. She loved to write skits and plays, and she was an incredible story teller! Mom learned to ski, golf, and hike with her Utah friends; She loved to entertain, cook, and decorate, and was involved in a variety social groups which was perfect for her charismatic personality and her creative nature: The Eccles Community Art Center was fortunate to have Mom’s interpretation of art which She took into “Art into the Schools” as a Docent; she was genuine in her time spent with ‘Friends for Sight, she was a former nurse and volunteer for the American Red Cross, and worked tirelessly with Planned Parenthood. Mom had passion for a myriad of activities and all that she encountered was graced with her “force of life” presence.Mom passed peacefully during the early morning hours of December 2, 2017 and now is free of her pain and suffering. She is whole and is now able to again, “Dance all around in her bones!”Survived by her devoted husband, Julius Emery (Boe) Lloyd; her children, James Lloyd and Cecile Lloyd.; Her passion and joy, her Granddaughter, Emily Lloyd and her Great-Grandchildren, Lia Crocket, Rylie Lloyd and Mason Weaver. Also surviving are her sister, Alice Cherico, (Bob), her brother, Donald Cook, (Nancy) and her sister in law, Ruth Lloyd. Her special niece and God-daughter, Sandra Kiley is forever in Mom’s heart. Many nieces and nephews burned memories in Mom’s book of life. Preceded in death by her parents, in-law’s, brother, Richard K. Cook; dear nephews David Cherico, Jeffrey Cook and special brother in law, Homer M. Lloyd.The family would like to express what the experience of having devoted hospice care thru Encompass has meant to our family, but that is not really possible. They are actually angels disguised as Humans. Tammy, Val, Christina, Tonya, Rose, Marnie, Vanessa, and Jenna, and Pam Chapman provided Mom with loving tenderness in this difficult transition. The compassion shown to our family will never be forgotten, the dignity with which mom was cared for is beyond words. We are forever grateful for the experience of knowing you all and having you in our lives. You became our family when we most needed it. We are filled with Gratitude for your places in our hearts.My mind still talks to you,My heart still looks for you,My soul knows you are now at peace.WE will miss your physical presence, Mom.