Jean Rose Cook

Jean Rose Cook passed away on September 16th, 2026 at the grand age of 96. She was born on May 12, 1930 in Waterville, Maine to parents Joseph and Rose Deblois. She was raised in Portland, Maine and lived there until she met her future husband, Ralph Cook. She was a hard worker, starting in her early teens and was employed at a series of factories that made various products. She never finished middle school, but she was extremely intelligent and never stopped learning. She could read a person better than any scholar could read a book. 

She married Ralph in August 1949 and had two sons-Wayne Morris and Bruce Michael. They raised them in Cape Elizabeth. When the boys graduated and joined the Navy, they relocated to Thomaston. Ralph passed away in 1994, after 45 years of marriage. In 2000, Jean returned to her roots in Southern Maine and settled back in to Cape Elizabeth. She spent many nights hosting sleep overs at her place for the great-grandkids that came along over the years. 

Jean was very active in church-serving on numerous committees and as a deaconess for  many years.  No visitor ever came to First Baptist Church in South Portland (now named Hope Community Church) without Jean seeking them out and making them feel welcomed.  No task was too small or deemed unimportant for her to undertake.  Her three great loves were Jesus, her family and friends.  Her fervent wish was for everyone to come to saving faith in Jesus.  She continued to be a witness for Jesus in her last year.  She wanted everyone to experience the love, joy and peace that she had found.  Because of her great love and empathy for others, that love flowed right back to her.  Everybody, young and old, loved her, and appreciated her wonderful sense of humor. She was an active part of a senior group called OWLS ("Older, Wiser, Loving Saints").  Her close friend Linda was the leader for 12 years and recalls that Jean hardly ever missed a monthly event and that, as expected,  she brought the joy and laughter each time.

Marie Rose Jeanne D’Arc Deblois, better known as Jean Cook, was a tiny little woman who left the biggest hole in this earthly world for those who loved her, but there is comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with the ones who left before her and her beloved Lord, Jesus. She was predeceased by her sisters- Violet  and Jackie, her brother-Robert, her husband Ralph , and her sons-Wayne and Bruce.  She is survived by her granddaughter-Heather, who spent the last few years caring for her,  grandson Dylan, and gaggle of adoring great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A service for Jean will be held at One o’Clock in the afternoon on Saturday, October 3rd at Hope Community Church in South Portland, Maine.