Joan (Puccinelli) Cook

Joan D. Cook, 84, passed away at the Community Hospital of Anaconda on February 9, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. Joan was born in Anaconda on March 12, 1937. She was one of 11 children, seven brothers: Reno (Rose), Raymond (Marlene), Joseph, Lawrence (Kathy), William (Patricia), Thomas (Linda), and Anthony (Sandy), and three sisters: Rosalie (Charles), Elizabeth, and Arlene (Robert).

Joan met the love of her life and best friend, Vernon "Ted" Cook, in 1957 at a taxi stand. Ted gave Joan a ride home from the taxi stand that night, and essentially every night thereafter. Ted and Joan married on October 12, 1957. Ted became Joan's personal taxi from that day forward, and the streets were much safer as a result. Joan loved family gatherings, holiday get-togethers, and camping with the family. She was the matriarch of the family and she always made sure everyone was well fed. She has been accurately described as a food pusher. When offering food, she was simply not willing to accept no for an answer. During her life, it was impossible to catch Joan alone. She was always surrounded by family and friends. When her dad, Reno "Pops" Puccinelli, passed away, she took over the long-standing tradition of having coffee every morning at her house. Amongst her favorite things were coffee, sweets and gambling, but most of all, she loved her grandkids and great grandkids, all of whom she babysat regularly.

Joan is in heaven with her son Kenny, and her grandson Ryan. She is survived by her husband, her sons Vernon Jr. (Barbara), Nicholas (Lori), and Kevin (Wendy), and her daughter Stacey (Cliff). Grandchildren include Tyler, Nathan (Maria), Corey (Chantel), Dezerae, Melisa, Adam (Abby), Bryan (Rebekah), Jordan (Justin), Britney (Josh), Derek (Britnie), Josh (Cierra), Kaedon (Tara), Madison, Meredith, Rylee, Evan, Abby. Joan is also survived by her 26 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and lots of family friends.

Joan's worry-free disposition can be summarized with an expression she used often, "everything comes out in the wash." The problems of today will have no lasting effects on tomorrow, and things will always normalize over time. Problems disappeared when you were with Joan. All that mattered to Joan was your safety and wellbeing. "Be careful and love you," she used to say.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Kenny Cook Memorial Scholarship Foundation or a charity of the person's choosing. Donations to the Kenny Cook Memorial Scholarship Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 82, Anaconda, MT 59711, or feel free to call (406)560-2857 with any questions.

Mass of Christian Burial for Joan Cook will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service at the church.