Nancy L. Cooke

Nancy L. Cooke, 68, of Topeka, died Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center after a brief illness. Nancy was born July 5, 1944, in Topeka, the daughter of Lester Raymond Hofwolt and Margaret Ellen Hofwolt (nee Westling).

She is survived by her sister, Susan Irza, of College Station, Texas; her beloved Westie dog, Emmy Lou; her uncle, Al Westling, of Topeka, and his children and their families; and by her numerous friends.

Nancy lived all of her adult life in Topeka. She attended Randolph Elementary School and Boswell Junior High School and graduated from Topeka High School. She did course work at Washburn University. Nancy worked diligently to achieve Advanced Paralegal Certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants, as well as a specialty certification in the field of civil litigation. These served her well throughout her career of more than 47 years of working with local law firms. Early on, she was a legal secretary for Michael Barbara. After achieving her paralegal designation, she worked for Schroer Rice and then for Palmer Leatherman White. Nancy was a fine person, with an inquiring mind. She enjoyed reading and she loved animals.

Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS. To honor those interests of hers, the family requests that no flowers be sent but rather contributions in her memory be made to the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library or the Helping Hands Humane Society.