Mrs. Homer C. Cook Summoned by Death

Mrs. Margaret Cornelia Hagan Cook, 90, a distinguished Steubenville civic, cultural and church leader and widow of Homer Citizen Cook, former president of the H. C. Cook Printing Co., here, died Monday at 10:10 p.m. in St. John Hospital. She had been in failing health the past year.

Mrs. Cook resided at 729 6th Ave., the long-time family residence. She was a daughter of the late Jonathan and Margaret Halstead Hagan, early residents of Jeffersojn County. Her ancestors came to this county in 1660.

Mrs. Cook was an ardent conservationist and horticulturist. She founded the Garden Club, a department of the Steubenville Woman's Club. With their help, she made the Rose Garden at Franklin Avenue and Brady into a beauty spot which the city later named the Margaret H. Cook Rose Garden in her honor.

The Franklin Avenue beautifcation was only one among many projects which Mrs. Cook spearheaded. A woman of remarkable energy and determination, she worked endlessly for civic and roadside beautification the past 30 years.

Mrs. Cook was a member and had served as an officer of many organizations in Steubenville including, the Jefferson County Home for Aged Women, the early YWCA, Gill Hospital Board, Steubenville Woman's Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Kings Daughters and the Query Club. She also did much war relief work during World War II.

She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

A great lover of children, Mrs. Cook was active in many projects for their benefit, one of which was the organizing of flower shows in public schools.

Mrs. Cook was born in Steubenville June 3, 1875. Her husband died in 1935. She is survived by a son, Homer Calvin Cook, of Steubenville and Gloucester, Mass., president of the H. C. Cook printing company here; a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Slaughter, wife of Dr. Frederick Slaughter of Marble Head, Mass.; five grandchildren; and four nieces, including Mrs. Beatty McCullough of Steubenville.

The body has been removed tot he McClave Funeral Home where services have been scheduled for Friday.
*****The Herald Star, Tuesday, November 23, 1965*****