A warrior has fought her last fight, laid down her armor and took her final rest. I say warrior because in every sense Mrs. Cook, as I always called her, was a fighter. Strong, stubborn, dedicated, independent, opinionated—she went against the current of the world; she was born to originate and do something great. It didn’t matter who stood with her or against her, she went forward, fighting for what she believed in. She really was an amazing woman—flawed and human, but amazing nonetheless.
I first heard of Mrs. Cook when my mom came across the SonLight curriculum and purchased it for my homeschool. When I finally chose to become a Christian, the SonLight books were monumental in my development. School wasn’t about just getting a bunch of academic knowledge stuffed in my head; it was about getting to know God through all I was studying. I didn’t just have a Bible class, I had the Bible in every class. Mrs. Cook was the founder of SonLight and the creator of the school program. She had immersed herself in the study of education and taken on the seemingly impossible task of writing a whole curriculum for children from birth on up that used the Bible as the main textbook. She had incredible drive and vision. It didn’t matter the obstacles or how long it would take, she steadily moved forward. My family got the SonLight program before I was 10 and Mom had contact with Mrs. Cook off and on for several years. At the age of 16 Mom and I traveled across the country to attend a health session in Virginia and who just happened to be at the same location giving a homeschool seminar but Mrs. Cook. One year later we ended up in Washington state and began an unforgettable journey living and working at SonLight. The ministry was small. It consisted of Mrs. Cook, Mom, me, and Mr. Cook (when he wasn’t in town working his main job). I was just 17, so I wasn’t quite considered a “staff member” yet. But if Mrs. Cook believed you should do something she wasted no time in pushing you forward and stretching you in that area. I quickly found myself proofreading, imputing school lessons into the computer (as some of the original files had gotten lost), reformatting books, recording CDs, designing covers, and even writing school lessons. It didn’t matter that I had limited experience, opportunities develop potential. I am forever indebted to her for all the opportunities she gave me. Mrs. Cook was all about developing your character. If she felt like you had a weak point in an area, that’s what she focused on. Sometimes she was right and it was appreciated, and sometimes not. But she meant well. Being a shy and quiet 17-year-old, the last thing I wanted to do was answer the phone calls coming into the Print Shop. So guess what? Every day, I was assigned to answer the phone for one hour. Mrs. Cook took me with her on several education seminars. And once again, although young, she put me in charge of the music and teaching several classes. She strongly believed in getting all ages to participate in church and class. There was always a new creative way to approach old and familiar subjects that kept both small children and 80+ year-old adults interested and learning. It was at SonLight that the idea of a family Sabbath school was introduced to me and I immediately felt right at home. Twenty or so, 4-drawer filing cabinets lined the basement wall in Mrs. Cook’s home. They were filled with articles, activities, poems, stories, and studies, all categorized in alphabetical order. When Mrs. Cook was writing about the hydrologic cycle, she would go to her files and see what she could find to contribute to the school lesson. Her library was extensive and exceptionally organized. Studying and writing was her happy place, her retreat and solace. And she gave to families and the world resources whose estimate cannot be numbered. I owe a lot to Mrs. Cook. My years at SonLight were pivotal in my experience. I was challenged, would I look to man and turn from everything or look to God and know in whom I have believed? I grew to be more understanding and compassionate towards leadership. I developed a strong love for this grand work, especially that of helping families in the education of their little ones. I went to SonLight a child and left a woman. Those years were not easy, but life-changing. SonLight will forever be a great part of who I am. Mrs. Cook was really an amazing woman, a warrior for God. She was far from perfect, but she was fighting the good fight of faith. I’m forever grateful for what she gave to me and countless families across the world. May that influence never cease. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth…that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
14 Comments
Melinda
1/15/2020 05:46:40 am
Thank you for sharing these memories and thoughts. Mrs Cook has influenced many lives in countless ways and I look forward to meeting her one day and thanking her.
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Elvin
1/15/2020 08:08:13 am
I remember well that education seminar with sister Cooke. She was very special to me. She gave me ideas and even wrote an article for our families first ministry newsletter. Leaders sometimes are not as culpable for their austerity because God makes them that way in order to get things done that otherwise wouldn't. This article was a blessing and extremely nostalgic for me. I pray that Sonlight lives until the Son comes in glory.
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Lakisha A Trader
1/15/2020 05:00:30 pm
I started using Sonlight about five years ago. I often wondered and thought about who had leant themselves to the Lord for such a great work. I would pray and thank God for those who put this cirriculum together and blessed so many families. Now I know. Praise God from whom all blessings flow and thank God for blessing us with Jeannie Cook. Now in God's kingdom we shall meet and Mrs. Cook will get to see how many lives she touched with God's love through the work He gave her to do.
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Kristine
1/15/2020 05:38:01 pm
Thank you for sharing this article. Our condolences to her family and close friends. Though we had never met Mrs. Cooke in person I must say she has provided out family with wonderful tools in education. For several years I have been working in our churches children's ministries department. Early on, (2010) I inquired whether any of Mrs. White’s materials had been used to meet the understanding of our youth. The response was “no” and so we settled with something else, for the time. However when we were introduced to SonLight Education Ministries (in 2015) it was an answer to our prayers...and many at our church are being blessed with the implementation of materials in a Family Sabbath School setting. God is so good. I too, hope to meet Mr. & Mrs. Cooke in the kingdom of our Lord.
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Angela Denis
1/15/2020 06:17:15 pm
My sincerest condolences to the Cook family! I have used the SonLight Educational Curriculum. The family bible Lessons mostly for both my special needs children. I want to thank publicly for resources to use. May God be with you all Cook family in the time of mourning! Praise God for the reassurance that we’ll see our love ones again!
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Nancy Hamilton
1/15/2020 06:54:15 pm
There were many of us that lived at Sonlight and were deeply affected by Jeanie Cook, her philosophy, her strong opinions and determined character. I myself for two years. I hope to see her on the other-side of this world one day. I pray her work will bless others as that was always her intention. Yes, she was far from perfect but I have yet to meet a perfect person no matter how hard they may "work" on "character development". This was good summary and I thank you for paying her tribute.
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Margaretha Tierney
1/15/2020 07:45:21 pm
Condolences to the family. I was privileged to work at Sonlight for six months, and I found Jeanie very gentle and understanding. We worked a full work-hour week, but knew that our work was helping children learn about life and character development. There were also challenges for me at Sonlight, the first being the length of my dresses and skirts. I learned quickly that it was of God and changed my hems to an appropriate length. I got to know Nancy, Peggy and Jeniffer at Sonlight, who remain treasured friends. Thanks to Jeanie and hubby (who did the mail - lots of parcels) for allowing me to spend those months in their home. I look forward to seeing them both on the sea of glass.
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Irv Kodimer
1/16/2020 11:46:07 am
Kim..Sorry for your personal loss. We were never close to your community and as such we never knew Mrs. Cook. She obviously had a very constructive and happy association in your past and upbringing. We are sorry for her personal loss for you.
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Faith
1/18/2020 12:16:17 pm
Amen! WOW.........what a beautiful story and a beautiful woman of God! My deepest and sincerest condolences. You are in my prayers. Thank you for sharing this amazing story! May you continue to keep your eyes upon Jesus and doing His work.
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Heidi
1/19/2020 08:08:06 am
My son was blessed by the Sonlight homeschool material from PreK to 5th grade. What a blessing Mrs. Cook's life poured out to so many. I praise God and am so thankful for such service to God, sacrifice and commitment. What a great legacy.
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Stephen Caudill
1/21/2020 11:33:35 am
Sonlight, and Mrs Cook who directed it, were a major factor in my life too. The 2 or so years studying the book The Desire of Ages fellowshiping together was one of the biggest "life-changing" periods of my life--spiritually!
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Angeline Dixon
1/21/2020 10:56:03 pm
Her curriculum has indeed been a blessing to my family. I am currently using the curriculum with my two boys and have no intention to stop. Rest in peace.
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Stella Foots
1/31/2020 01:08:13 am
Living in Samoa island, a family sailed to Samoa and introduced the
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Natisha Jerome
2/2/2020 07:11:23 pm
I am so glad that God allowed me to have opportunity to use the SonLight Curriculum. I believe that the Lord's hand is in it. It is a blessing to my family. As I teach my children I am being taught of God as well. Each lesson directs our mind to the Great Teacher. I am thankful for the efforts put forward by God's servants. God bless!
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SolominaEverything in life has meaning. There's a lesson in every object, every situation, every process. I want to go deeper, in a higher way. I want to listen, to understand, to know. Archives
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