Shpresa "Bess" Cook, 79, of Windham, NH, formerly of Boston, MA passed away January 23, 2012 at Tufts Medical Center after a long illness.
Bess was born in 1932 in Boston, MA, the daughter of Spiro and Kleanthi (Mitrushi) Christo. She grew up in Boston's West End and graduated from Girls High School. She worked in the offices of several companies including John Hancock, Ryder Rental, and Stone and Webster. Bess radiated beauty, and while shopping at Jordan Marsh, she was approached by Eileen Ford of the Ford Modeling Agency who recommended she go into modeling. As a model for agencies in Boston, Bess was featured in ads in Boston newspapers, and in modeling shows including a stint at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Bess was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Albanian Orthodox Church in South Boston, as well as of the Daughters of Holy Trinity.
Bess is survived by her husband of 43 years, Nelson Cook; her son, Miles Cook and his wife Amanda of Dover, NH; and by her three grandchildren Alexander, Elizabeth and Nathaniel. She is also survived by three sisters: Nancy Gavin and her husband John of Falmouth, MA; Mary Wasso and her husband Thomas of Shrewsbury, MA; and Jody Christopher and her husband Peter of Shrewsbury, MA. Bess leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews and their families. Bess had many good friends in the Windham area, including Bernadette Cirillo, Barbara Franks, Jeanette Jones, Jackie Ouellette, Patricia Randazzo, and Janet Salzman. The ladies at the Windham Post Office – Ann Marie, Maureen, and Kim and the owners of the Windham Deli – Teresa and Rob. The family is extremely grateful to them for their unyielding devotion and their loving care and support.
Church services will be held Thursday, January 26, 2012 from 10AM-12PM at Holy Trinity Albanian Orthodox Church, 245 D Street, South Boston, MA.
Additional calling hours will be held Thursday, January 26, 2012 from 5-7 PM at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. Graveside services and burial will be held Friday at 11AM at Cemetery on the Plain, Ministerial Rd, Windham, NH
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the: Parkinson’s Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305