Mary Alice Timmins Cook

Mary Alice Timmins Cook, age 69, passed away on June 10, 2017, at her Kaysville home surrounded by family from complications of Post Transplant Lymphoma Disease (PTLD). Mary was born in Logan, Utah on October 27, 1947 to Joseph and Myrle Linford Timmins. Siblings Linda Gittins (Marlin, deceased) Smithfield, Lois Sorensen (John) Smithfield and Garth (Sarah) Young Ward. Raised in Smithfield, Utah she was a member of the first graduating class at Skyview High School. Mary attended Utah State University and married to the love of her life Lawrence (Larry) J Cook on March 18, 1966. Mary was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served faithfully as a youth Sunday School Teacher and a Den Leader. Mary had an enthusiastic sense of humor, an uncanny ability to talk to anyone and make you feel like you are the most important person in the room.

Shortly after they were married Larry was drafted and joined the US Air Force. For the next 22 years they had many adventures being stationed in Germany and California, Washington D.C., Colorado Springs and Hill AFB.

Mary worked in the many places where they were stationed. In May 1980, she started her career as a GS 3 Secretary with the Bureau of Reclamation. In July 1981, she was promoted as a Realty Technician. She worked numerous jobs in land management, negotiating land contracts, water rights, and land policies. She also worked on storm water policies and brokered the first Land Title Transfer from the Bureau to the State of Utah. She established procedures for working with Reclamation stakeholders, local water users, Federal Headquarters and the Utah Congressional Delegation. She was known for the thoroughness of her work, a great writer and expert in Federal Land Law. After 28 years, receiving numerous awards for excellence, she retired at GS-13 as the Reality Officer for the Upper Colorado Region.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents. Survived by her husband, Larry of 51 years, they raised 2 sons, Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Cook Jr. (Kei) of Layton, and Johnathan (John) Cook (Jennifer) San Juan Islands, WA, three granddaughters, Ainsley (Nick) Zieser, Zoe Cook, Jade Cook and Cheeto, her Therapy Cat.

Mary and her husband are members of Wasatch Rods & Customs and could be seen cruising to car shows and cruise nights in their 66 GTO. She was an active member with the Red Hat Society, enjoying monthly outings with her fellow Red Hatters. Mary was a very loving Mother and Grandmother always involved in family sports, school activities and family parties. She loved to travel, especially enjoying her 5 years in Germany and touring all over Europe. Her favorite places to visit were Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park and San Francisco.

In 2000, Mary developed Pulmonary Fibrosis requiring her to use supplemental oxygen. She met Dr. Marybeth Schouland who helped manage her disease until Mary developed Pulmonary Hypertension which required her to be listed for a Bi-lateral Lung Transplant. Mary met Dr. Barbara Cahill who facilitated the transplant listing and provided medical attention while awaiting transplant. The blessed day came on July 16, 2010 when lungs were selflessly donated by Elizabeth Bradley and family. They were a perfect fit and Mary recovered fully. She became a strong advocate for Organ Transplantation, volunteering with Intermountain Organ Donation and establishing a support group for pre-and post-lung transplant patients at the U of U Hospital. Many of the post-lung transplant recipients call her “their den mother” for all the help and advice she gave them. We want to thank the U of U Pulmonary Transplant Group, especially Dr. Cahill, Dr. Ramon, Nurses Tawana, Kelly and Bill for all the support and help they have provided Mary through this journey. In lieu flowers please donate to Intermountain Donor Services.

A visitation will be held at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah on June 16, 2017 from 6 to 8 pm with Funeral Services at the LDS Church Haight Bench Ward, 1650 South 500 East, Kaysville June 17, 2017 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services.