Nelle M. Cook, 92, of Plainfield, Indiana passed away on Friday, April 14, 2017. Nelle was born December 12, 1924 in Terre Haute, Indiana to the late James E. Bailey and Martha C. Bailey.  She graduated from Hammond High in Hammond, Indiana. After high school, Nelle studied English, Theater and Art at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. After college she married the love of her life, Frank Cook, and raised three children.

Nelle was a woman who loved family so much that she built a house big enough to hold them.  She was a woman who took in family and friends when times were tough and fed them all.  Her home was always open to any and all activities whether it be weddings, birthdays, holidays, family reunions, business meetings or just gatherings, large and small, over several cups of coffee.  She had an inexhaustible, entrepreneurial spirit and started several businesses from photo retouching in her early days to building a large and successful direct sales organization.  She was a true feminist before it was popular to be one. She was an avid reader, loved politics, economics, and enjoyed a good laugh.

Nelle was a human being that inspired human beings. Her calling, like her husband’s, was to serve her fellow man.  She was a member of the Plainfield United Methodist Church, taught Sunday School and Adult Bible Study, traveled with the Social Concerns committees and participated in many conferences.  She was also a camp counselor, worked tirelessly with the United Methodist Women and served as President of the P.T.A. She loved to play bridge, tennis and water ski on the weekends, refurbish furniture, collect art, pilot the skies and travel.

She rejoiced in her children and grandchildren, her four sisters and husbands, and her large extended family (most of which lived with her sometime during their lives). Nelle lived her life to the fullest and with great intention.  Her partner, Frank, was the joy of her life. Like her favorite flower, the Camellia, their lives paralleled that flower’s same symmetrical beauty and long-lasting quality.

Nelle is survived by her children: Candice (Gary) Clarke, Cindy Cook and Greg (Beth) Cook and her grandchildren: Grant (Josh) Clarke-Crews, Caitlin Clarke, Benjamin Cook, Kimberly Cook and Bailey Cook and her great grandchild: Taylor Lynn Cook. Nelle is also survived by four sisters:  Genevieve Barnhart, Vera Kantz High, Betty (Ralph) Bennett and Jacqueline Shew.

Family and friends:  Nelle’s “Celebration of Life” will be on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Plainfield Methodist Church, 600 Simmons Street, Plainfield, Indiana 46168.  Visitation will be from 10:00 until 12:00 with service to follow.  Please, in lieu of flowers, “open up your heart and home with love in abundance”. She would like that.

We miss her but know how lucky we all are to have shared her love and joy.  Through her we all have experienced so much of this world. You are forever in our souls and hearts Mother, Gamma, Grandma and we will love you forever.