Martha A. Mitchell Cook 1931-2025

She was born Aug. 5, 1931, in Greenville, Pa., to Paul and Mariann Mitchell.

After living in Pennsylvania as a young girl, she moved to Hubbard following the death of her mother to live with her Aunt Beber and Uncle Ed Riley on their large farm, where she celebrated her love of the outdoors. She graduated from Hubbard High School, where she was voted homecoming queen, not once, but twice. Marti kept up with those friends as she helped organize many class reunions. It was in Hubbard that she met Joseph L. Cook; they married at St. Patrick Church in 1952.

Martha had many personal interests that filled her life. She was very involved at St. Patrick Church in Hubbard through the Altar and Rosary Society and as a lector. She was devoted to the Rosary and a frequent participant in the liturgy.

Martha was also a very social person and met many new friends through the fashion shows she participated in at Kitty’s Fashions in Hubbard. She loved decorating and hosting family dinners for all the holidays. Her cooking was legendary among family and friends. She loved learning, and her travels to Italy, where she attended Mass by the Pope, and France, Ireland and England — to name a few destinations — sparked that devotion.

Martha joined the working world and still continued her thirst for learning. She worked to establish senior living opportunities in Youngstown at Phoenix House, and from there moved on to work in the oncology department at Northside Hospital. Again, Martha made many friends in the hospital, especially Patty Kelshaw, with whom she kept in contact over the years. She advanced to the department of medicine, where was responsible for the physician’s residency program. She was invited to present at several national seminars on her expertise in the residency program.

Even while managing this very complex program, Martha found time to nurture her love of learning and enrolled at Youngstown State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1999. Following through with her second love, literature, she went on to earn a master’s degree in English. Her scholarship made her stand out and Martha was invited to teach as an adjunct faculty member in the English department, which she did for so many years. She really immersed herself in the YSU experience, attending sports and alumni programs. She also enjoyed the numerous lectures and concerts on campus and at Stambaugh Auditorium which she attended with her son, William, husband, daughter and grandchildren. She loved to follow up with dinner in the Terrace Room at Youngstown Country Club. Martha also looked forward to one of her favorite days of the year, St. Patrick’s Day, where she enjoyed being with friends and family.

She surely led a full life of love, learning and service.

She will be greatly missed by her sons, Thomas (Lisa) Cook, William Cook and David Cook; daughter, Mariann Cook; granddaughters, Alicia Kosec and Jenna Cook; great-grandchildren, Harper and Jackson Kosec; sister, Ann (Myron) Blasko; and brother, James Mitchell.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Cook; parents, Paul C. and Mariann Mitchell; sister, Margaret Brewer; and brother, Paul F. Mitchell.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Tracie Allen and the men and women of Caprice Health Facility in North Lima who provided Martha with such wonderful care.

Private services were held Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at St. Patrick Church in Hubbard. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael Cariglio, assisted by Deacon John Bartos.

Arrangements were handled by the Kelley Cummins Funeral Home.

The family requests that gifts may be made in memory of Martha A. Mitchell Cook to the Youngstown State University Foundation, 655 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44502.

Please visit www.kcummins.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the family.

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