Mary Ellen Cook
5/26/1949 – 3/22/2021
Mary Ellen was a kind, compassionate, and loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Survived by her mother, Gerd Murphy; sister, Susan Murphy; brothers John David Murphy(Kris) and Stephen Murphy(Linda, Andrew, Ben, Sonya); mother-in-law, Jo Ann Cook; and daughter Jennifer Cook. Preceded in death by her husband, H. Duane Cook.
Mary Ellen attended Notre Dame de Sion and the University of Kansas. She later went on to complete her medical records training and found her calling in Cancer Registry. She worked at Research Medical Center for over 35 years, then retired after approximately 12 years at St. Joseph Medical Center. During her career, she worked in Cancer Registry, data collection and research for Health Midwest and the Cancer Institute, helped coordinate and lead cancer conferences and the cancer committee, and worked with the doctors to put together the annual reports, all in the name of the fight against cancer.
Above all else, Mary Ellen had a positive impact on the lives of so very many. Far more people and in greater depth than she probably realized.
A Celebration of Mary Ellen’s life will take place on June 19th from 11:30-1:30 at Signature Funerals, 406 E. Bannister Rd. Kansas City, MO 64131. Out of respect for elderly family members please be mindful of Covid-19 safety protocol. If you would like more information about the celebration of life, please email MECookMemory@gmail.com with your name and preferred form of contact.
In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations towards
Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO. 64145
The kindness and assistance in easing Mary Ellen into a peaceful transition was incredible and the family thanks them very much.
Mary Ellen gave great smiles and excellent stories. She will be greatly missed. Thank you sharing her. C. Leiber
Mary Ellen was a mentor and dear friend. She will be greatly missed!
Rest In Peace Mary Ellen, you were a better friend than any of us deserved.
Suzi Bass Moore
Mary Ellen was an outstanding person as well as a Cancer Registrar. She was passionate about collecting cancer date and saw the difference that data made in overall cancer care. Her passing is not only a loss to me personally but, is a loss to our profession.
May Ellen was passionate about her role in the fight against cancer. She sought to always increase her knowledge and verify her understanding of cancer registry issues. I saw her at state professional meetings where she listened attentively and asked the most insightful questions of the doctors and leaders who presented.
I am so sorry to hear that Mary Ellen passed. God bless her and her family
Mary Ellen had the best laugh and was delightful to work with. On a personal level she was easy to talk to and seemed to have friends every where we went. She made a difference in the lives she touched with her gentle, sensitive, understanding ways. To the family I am sorry for your loss. She was a blessing to have as a friend.