Diana Renee Rhodes Cook

Diana Renee Rhodes Cook, of Phoenix, NY, passed away in Rochester, NY, on January 21 at the age of 62, with family by her side after a period of declining health.

Diana was born in New Hartford, NY, on December 29, 1959, and lovingly raised by her parents, Robert and Barbara Rhodes. She was an “Air Force Brat” and grew up all over, eventually graduating from Willingboro High School in New Jersey, where she was a passionate participant in the drama program and a gifted and engaged student.

Diana studied at a few different educational institutions and eventually made her home in young adulthood in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area. There, she met some of her lifelong best friends and her husband, Stephen ‘Steve’ Cook.

Diana and Steve were married on November 24, 1984, in the central New York area after relocating there together. They welcomed several children and Diana soon began actively volunteering with school events as she became involved in their education.

Diana was an extremely talented writer and wrote for many years as a trusted voice on the Phoenix Register and the Oswego County Weeklies. She also helped found Omniquest Information Arts with her husband in Minnesota when the family briefly relocated there for a few years. Outside of her professional writing, she also kept up with personal journaling and blogging.

Diana was a strong advocate for kids with special needs, primarily in the area of Autism spectrum disorder, and was a policy guru and champion for students’ special education rights. She also volunteered much of her time with groups like the Phoenix Chorus and Drama Boosters (she was known lovingly as a “Drama Mama”), and other programs that supported the students of the Phoenix Central School District.

Diana was eventually elected to the Board of Education, which she served on for 18 years before her passing. She also sat on many scholarship committees and was a strong supporter of community groups like the Bridge House Brats and Erin’s Angels.

Diana had a beautiful voice and was previously a member of The Spirit of Syracuse, as part of Sweet Adelines International, and was often part of the St. Stephen’s Christmas Eve mass in Phoenix as well. Music was a huge part of her life and she was a big fan of musicals like Sound of Music and West Side Story, which were played for her during her final days alongside classic rock.

Diana’s love for and interest in animals, music, dancing, doing crafts, campfires, discussing political and social issues, and writing, and her devotion to her friends and family will not be forgotten.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 37 years, Steve Cook, and her five children: Amber Cook, Brittany Cook, and Chad Cook of Phoenix, NY, Jocelyn ‘Josie’ Rhodes Cook of Brooklyn, NY, and Jonathan ‘Jon’ Hewett and his wife, Christa Hewett, of Mobile. Alabama. Surviving as well are her siblings Paula Rhodes of Georgia, Michael Rhodes and Dawn (Rosario) Rhodes of Westville, New Jersey and their kids Rushton and Gavin, and Danielle Rhodes of Lumberton, New Jersey. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Anya, Skylar, and Coryn of Mobile, Alabama, and numerous cousins and other loved ones that are too many to name.

A memorial will be held in Phoenix, NY at a later date in the spring or summer, and a smaller event is planned in the Virginia Beach area in warmer months as well.

The Cook family and Diana’s countless loved ones would like to express their gratitude for the community of friends and family who provided unwavering support in her final days, and for the support and care of the staff of the University of Rochester Medicine Palliative Care Divison at Strong Memorial Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged in her memory to the following organizations: Friends Forever Animal Rescue of Pennellville, NY or any animal rescue, the Phoenix Chorus and Drama Boosters, Erin’s Angels of Phoenix, NY, and Camp Talooli of Pennellville, NY, or any organization loved ones believe would speak to her and her ideals.