Nadine Cook

The world is a little less bright today. Our loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Nadine Blanche Brooks Cook, passed away November 17, 2020, in the peace and quiet of her home. Born August 16, 1941, “Nani” was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nigel, her sister, Barbara, her grandson, Brian, and her parents. We know she is joyfully reunited with them.

Nani was truly the salt of the earth. She made everyone feel welcome and loved. If you were in her presence, you felt like you were the most important person in the world. She was unable to get around easily for several years, but she always welcomed visitors into her space with graciousness and warmth. As piano teacher, vocalist, and amateur songwriter, she gave her family the gift of music. She also learned to sign to music and found joy in signing songs for deaf people. She loved to cook and entertain. Nothing pleased her more than cooking something special and sharing it with people she loved. Her original cheesecake is a family treasure. She truly had a talent for conversation. She knew how to ask just the right questions and in her many conversations on the phone and in person, she laughed with us and cried with us and showed us how to love unconditionally. She loved to give gifts and always tried to find the "perfect" gift for each person as long as she could do so physically. She was an avid BYU football fan and got upset when "her boys" got hurt. She loved to see "her mountains" and always had a grateful heart even when she was not feeling well. She was deeply spiritual and followed a path of personal light in her life which led her to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at age 20 and she loved it for the rest of her life.

Nani was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where she lived until the age of 15 when the Brooks family moved to Salem, Oregon, where she attended South Salem High School. She and her 4 siblings spent vacation and play time on the Oregon coast sharing their love of the ocean and beaches. She met Nigel while attending Brigham Young University. She and Nigel were married in Oregon, and then later sealed in the Manti Utah temple. Nani and Nigel were the proud parents of Kevin (Suzanne), Colin (Linda), and Kristina. She has 23 grandchildren, all of whom she loved individually and dearly. She also had many lifelong friends who became like family.

A viewing for friends and loved ones will be held Friday, November 20, 2020, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary located at 495 South State Street in Orem.

Click here to view Nani’s Facebook memorial page. https://www.facebook.com/NaniLovesEveryone

A live stream of the gravesite service will be available at 10am on Saturday November-21. There is also a post that anyone can leave a comment to share a memory of her.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.