OBITUARY ELLEN ZWICKY COOK
Ellen Zwicky Cook Ellen Zwicky Cook passed away June 24, 2009. She was born in
Genoa, Italy on June 4, 1927, to Emil Zwicky and Linea (Kiefer) Zwicky. She
lived there until she was about two years old and then moved with her family
back to Elmhurst, Ill., where she grew up. Her father was export manager for
Swift and Company. Her parents and her beloved husband, Herman preceded her in
death. Also, her brother, 1st Lt. Alfred O. Zwicky preceded her in death during
World War II combat. Ellen and Herman met at North Central College in
Naperville, Ill., after Herman served in the Army Air Force in World War II.
After graduating from college, Ellen was the first local graduate from Elmhurst
to be hired by Elmhurst School District with no prior experience as a teacher.
Ellen and Herman were married in Elmhurst on July 28, 1951. Their first church
was in Wood Dale, Ill., where they served for 11 years. She and Herman moved to
Dallas, Texas, in 1971. Ellen taught in the Carrollton/Farmer Branch School
District. At the time of her retirement in 1986, she was the Social Studies
department head for Newman Smith High School. Ellen and Herman moved to Holiday
Island in 1988. Ellen was the "Welcome Lady" from 1989 until 2002. On March 11,
1993, Ellen and Herman met with a group of Holiday Island residents who were
hungry to hear the word of God and requested that they lead in establishing a
new church. This was the beginning of the Holiday Island Community Church. Ellen
was the director of music and in recent years she was the organist. Ellen and
Herman believed that man's hands cannot make a place for God. The church is
really the people who belong to the family of God and God's children will
experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give. The memorial service was
Saturday, June 27, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Holiday Island Community Church. Memorials
may be given to the Holiday Island Community Church Building Fund.
Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on January 14, 2010
Submitted by Edward Lynn
Williams |