Phyllis Cook Obituary

Cook
Phyllis (Johannsen) Cook
September 10, 1924
June 18, 2022

Phyllis Cook, 97, died on June 18, 2022 in Tucson Arizona. Phyllis was born on September 10, 1924 on a small family farm near Holyrood Kansas. Her parents were Rosa and Fred Johannsen.

Phyllis grew up in the depression during very difficult times, but rose above it all.

Phyllis graduated from Kansas State University in 1945 with a degree in journalism. Her first job was with the radio station KRLD in Dallas, Texas. She later served as the Assistant Editor of the Kansas Government Journal. Her career also included 10 years as the Social Director of The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. She later followed that path working for several years at Miraval Resort in Tucson, AZ.

Phyllis served on the board of directors of many organizations including the Colorado Opera Festival, the Child Daycare Center, Big Brother's Big Sisters, and served as President of the Colorado Springs chapter of the Chi Omega alumni.

Later in life Phyllis was a member of the Skyline Women's Club in Tucson, where she enjoyed playing bridge and being a member of the book club and the art club. One of her great joys was writing. She wrote many articles and columns for multiple publications, including working on children's and young adult books during the course of her life.

Of course, Phyllis' greatest joy was her family. She was always the mom that was thrilled to have the friends of her children over to the family home. She was one who would never miss a sporting event, concert or other event in her children's lives.

Phyllis also enjoyed a rich life with her many friends in both Colorado Springs and Tucson. She was a gourmet cook and loved to entertain.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister Bernice Kozma and her late husband Joseph Grispino, whom she married in 2000. Her earlier marriage to Morley Cook produced three children: Ann Yrisarri of Denver, CO, John Cook (married to Charla Cook) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Christine Atias of Taos, New Mexico. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Kendall Yrisarri, Catherine Yrisarri, Hannah Cook, Jake Cook, Lilly Cook, Alyssa Atias and Ciela Atias. She is also survived by her niece Amy Kozma and her nephew Fred Kozma. There will be a private family service to honor Phyllis.