Phyllis Jean Cook

Phyllis Jean (Cristillo) Cook

July 6, 1933 – May 19, 2021

Phyllis Jean Cook, 87, passed away at her home May 19, 2021 in Greenbelt, MD. Known as Jean to family and friends, she was born July 6, 1933 in Bellwood, PA, to Felice and Laura (Pedro) Cristillo. The fourth of six children, she grew up in a close-knit Italian family and her relationship with her siblings remained just as strong throughout her life.

She graduated from Altoona High School in 1953 and during senior year met her future husband, John Franklin Cook of Duncansville, PA.  They married on January 11, 1958 in Lakemont, PA. In the early years of their marriage, they traveled throughout the country for her husband’s work.  They welcomed the birth of their son in Altoona and when her husband’s work took them to Rome, New York, they welcomed the arrival of their daughter. Eventually they settled in Maryland where they were joined by two of her sisters and their families. This created a circle of nearby family which soon grew to include many new and enduring friendships.

Known as Nana to her grandchildren, Jean enjoyed cooking and baking with her husband and sisters and sisters-in-law. Her Italian dishes were joyfully anticipated at family gatherings and holidays, especially her Italian cookies at Christmas, macaroni salad in summer, and her pasta all year round. She loved reading mysteries, gardening, and cheering on the local Washington sports teams, especially the Nationals, Capitals, and her favorites, the Washington Football Team and the University of Maryland Terrapins basketball team.  Of course, she still kept an eye on the Pittsburgh Steelers.   

She always looked forward to family gatherings and truly enjoyed her many shared vacations at Rehoboth Beach and Atlantic City. She maintained close ties with relatives in Pennsylvania throughout the year, always looked forward to being together at annual reunions and other special occasions.  Weddings were an especially joyful time for her since she knew it would bring much of the extended family together again. During frequent trips to PA to visit her siblings and in-laws, the family dog, Peppi, was a beloved companion.  Although later years made travel more challenging, she always kept in touch with loved ones.

In recent years, her strength and devotion had been focused on caring for her ailing husband, John.  As day-to-day caregiver and best friend, she dedicated herself to taking care of him without hesitation.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Felice and Laura Cristillo; sisters Carmella Coho and Cleonica “Cris” Croft; brothers Rocco and Frank; parents-in-law Arvilla and Edward Cook; brothers-in-law Edward “Stacey” Cook, Walter Stewart and Kenneth Coho; and sister-in-law Jacquelyn Cristillo.

She is survived by her husband John; her elder sister Mary Stewart of Seabrook, MD; and sister-in-law Cyndi Cristillo of Hollidaysburg, PA; son James Cook and wife, Susan, of Glenelg, MD, daughter Laura Ann Moleski and husband, Walt, of Laurel, MD; grandchildren Alexandra Cook, Gabrielle Moleski, Ryan Moleski, and Jennifer Cook; and many nieces and nephews and their families throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania.

A viewing will be held in Bowie, Maryland June 1st followed by a Funeral Mass on June 2^nd.  Jean will then make her final trip home to Altoona, PA where her life will be celebrated on June 3^rd with a viewing, followed by a Catholic service and interment.

Charitable contributions may be made in her memory to the American Diabetes Association and American Cancer Society.

www.beallfuneral.com

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www.calvarycemeteryaltoona.com