Helen E. Gallimore Cook

Helen Elizabeth Gallimore Cook, died Sunday, Sept. 6, surrounded by her loving and sometimes crazy family. She was born July 7, 1945, and was preceded in death by her dedicated husband, Milton C. Cook.

She leaves behind three daughters and six grandchildren, Karen Scott and husband, Steve, and their three incredible sons, David Scott, and wife, Emily, who reside in Chambersburg with their furbaby Denver, Andy Scott and wife, Hannah, who reside in New York (but not for long, less than 180 days, and Helen could not have been more excited), and Timmy, who will soon reside in Hampton, Virginia to begin his career as a Scientist for NASA (in Helen’s words “a real Scientist, how cool is that!”) Cheryl Wharton and husband, Stu, and their two determined children, Ally who is a published author and is in her final year at Shepherd University and Zach, who is the starting center for the WHS Patriots. Last, but certainly not least, Liz Cook, and her kind, loving, and occasionally contrary daughter Breezy (a direct quote from Helen), who never let her Grammy win at card games.

Helen was married to Milton for 40 years. Their loving partnership and mutual respect built a successful business and a big, wonderful, and sometimes reality tv worthy, family. Helen was an amazing, supportive, and giving Mom to her sometimes challenging daughters. She had wit for days and a sense of humor that carried us all through hard times. She was honest, brutally honest, and you always knew exactly how she felt. She had as much sass as she did strength. Helen was a bada**, and she will be remembered by her family as one of the strongest, most unshakable women they will ever know. She loved all her daughters equally, except the one writing this obituary. She loved that one just a little bit more. (Yes, it is now in print!)

Helen loved sewing, survival football pools (she came in second place!), giving opinions, engaging in spirited debates, reading, saving her kids from bad decisions, and educating those on the importance of voting. With that said, please vote by requesting your absentee ballot today!

At 75, she was exceptionally savvy with technology and knew her way around social media. Her last two years were spent being the unofficial social media warrior for the small businesses in downtown Charles Town. Helen loved promoting the town where her daughter works and where her family planted roots.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430 or by supporting the small businesses in downtown Charles Town.

Arrangements are by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.

Please sign the online guestbook and view her obituary at www.mtstrider.com.