Honor Bernice Cook's 100th Birthday

Senate Resolution No. 5189 BY: Senator LITTLE CONGRATULATING Bernice Coryer Cook upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and WHEREAS, Born on June 1, 1918, Bernice Coryer Cook is the daughter of the late Joseph and Helene Devan Coryer; she grew up in Cadyville, New York, along with her seven sisters; although she was the fourth child born, she took on the responsibilities of the oldest child and nurtured her family; and WHEREAS, Bernice Coryer Cook learned from her parents to have faith, cherish family love and share good and bad times together, believe in yourself and always do the best you can, respect the elderly and your superiors in church and school, make holidays a fun-loving time, no matter how little you have, be thankful each day for what you have, pray for the sick and the dead, always be honest in everything you do, and to be true to your friends and be proud; she embodies these values and continues to base her life on these truths; and WHEREAS, A devoted student, Bernice Coryer Cook began her school years at Union School in Cadyville, and knew from an early age she wanted to be a teacher; after completing high school in two years, she earned a teaching degree from Plattsburgh State Teachers' College; and WHEREAS, Bernice Coryer Cook began her illustrious career in education in 1937, when she relocated to Whitehall, New York, and signed her first teaching contract with Fort Ann School District at 19 years old; during this time, she taught grades one through eight in a one-room school house; and WHEREAS, At the end of her third year, Fort Ann School District consolidated and she was transferred to Comstock to teach first and second grades; a few years later, she taught in the first Kindergarten at Fort Ann Central School, where she remained a beloved teacher until her retirement; and WHEREAS, In 1942, Bernice met the love of her life, Clyde M. Cook, while roller-skating at Brennan's Roller Skating Rink in Queensbury; married on November 30, 1943, at St. Mary's Church in Hudson Falls, the couple spent 72 wonderful years as husband and wife, raising three children; and WHEREAS, In 1949, Bernice Coryer Cook and her husband built the Queen Ann Motel, where she housed a homeless man for several years, cooking him three meals a day; furthermore, a woman of sincere compassion, during winter storms when travel to a restaurant would be too difficult, she would invite complete strangers to dine with her family; and WHEREAS, The couple went on to found Clyde's Truck and Equipment, where Bernice Coryer Cook took on a full time job as manager of the motel and bookkeeper to both businesses; at the same time, she served as the Business Clerk for the Town of Fort Ann; and WHEREAS, Bernice Coryer Cook is a proud member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, where she served as a religious education teacher for 47 years and on the Pastoral Advisory Board and Ecumenical Council; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her community, Bernice Coryer Cook gave of her time and energies to countless local organizations, some of which include Court Mater Mariae No. 1663 Catholic Daughters of America, Mettawee Valley Business and Professional Women, Washington County Children's Committee, Queen Anne Senior Citizens, Retired Teachers of Fort Ann Association, and Old Stone House Reading Center; and WHEREAS, In her retired years, one of Bernice Coryer Cook's greatest joys has been writing daily letters to her friends, children and grandchildren, as well as shut-ins who had no one else to write to them; her letters are uplifting words of encouragement and hope; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her three children, Patricia (Peter), Colleen (David) and Christopher (Grace) Cook, her Fresh Air child, Irma, and her grandchildren, Katie (Andrew), Kevin (Alexandra), John "Jack", Joseph and Natalie, who have all shown her love and support and rejoice in her many achievements; and WHEREAS, A loving Mother and Nana, Bernice Coryer Cook has truly dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Bernice Coryer Cook upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Bernice Coryer Cook.