Senate Resolution No. 5189

BY: Senator LITTLE

CONGRATULATING Bernice Coryer Cook upon the
occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Born on June 1, 1918, Bernice Coryer Cook is the daughter
of the late Joseph and Helene Devan Coryer; she grew up in Cadyville,
New York, along with her seven sisters; although she was the fourth
child born, she took on the responsibilities of the oldest child and
nurtured her family; and

WHEREAS, Bernice Coryer Cook learned from her parents to have faith,
cherish family love and share good and bad times together, believe in
yourself and always do the best you can, respect the elderly and your
superiors in church and school, make holidays a fun-loving time, no
matter how little you have, be thankful each day for what you have, pray
for the sick and the dead, always be honest in everything you do, and to
be true to your friends and be proud; she embodies these values and
continues to base her life on these truths; and

WHEREAS, A devoted student, Bernice Coryer Cook began her school
years at Union School in Cadyville, and knew from an early age she
wanted to be a teacher; after completing high school in two years, she
earned a teaching degree from Plattsburgh State Teachers' College; and

WHEREAS, Bernice Coryer Cook began her illustrious career in
education in 1937, when she relocated to Whitehall, New York, and signed
her first teaching contract with Fort Ann School District at 19 years
old; during this time, she taught grades one through eight in a one-room
school house; and

WHEREAS, At the end of her third year, Fort Ann School District
consolidated and she was transferred to Comstock to teach first and
second grades; a few years later, she taught in the first Kindergarten
at Fort Ann Central School, where she remained a beloved teacher until
her retirement; and

WHEREAS, In 1942, Bernice met the love of her life, Clyde M. Cook,
while roller-skating at Brennan's Roller Skating Rink in Queensbury;
married on November 30, 1943, at St. Mary's Church in Hudson Falls, the
couple spent 72 wonderful years as husband and wife, raising three
children; and

WHEREAS, In 1949, Bernice Coryer Cook and her husband built the
Queen Ann Motel, where she housed a homeless man for several years,
cooking him three meals a day; furthermore, a woman of sincere
compassion, during winter storms when travel to a restaurant would be
too difficult, she would invite complete strangers to dine with her
family; and

WHEREAS, The couple went on to found Clyde's Truck and Equipment,
where Bernice Coryer Cook took on a full time job as manager of the
motel and bookkeeper to both businesses; at the same time, she served as
the Business Clerk for the Town of Fort Ann; and

WHEREAS, Bernice Coryer Cook is a proud member of St. Ann's Catholic
Church, where she served as a religious education teacher for 47 years
and on the Pastoral Advisory Board and Ecumenical Council; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Bernice Coryer Cook gave of her time and energies to
countless local organizations, some of which include Court Mater Mariae
No. 1663 Catholic Daughters of America, Mettawee Valley Business and
Professional Women, Washington County Children's Committee, Queen Anne
Senior Citizens, Retired Teachers of Fort Ann Association, and Old Stone
House Reading Center; and

WHEREAS, In her retired years, one of Bernice Coryer Cook's greatest
joys has been writing daily letters to her friends, children and
grandchildren, as well as shut-ins who had no one else to write to them;
her letters are uplifting words of encouragement and hope; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her three children, Patricia
(Peter), Colleen (David) and Christopher (Grace) Cook, her Fresh Air
child, Irma, and her grandchildren, Katie (Andrew), Kevin (Alexandra),
John "Jack", Joseph and Natalie, who have all shown her love and support
and rejoice in her many achievements; and

WHEREAS, A loving Mother and Nana, Bernice Coryer Cook has truly
dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Bernice Coryer Cook upon the occasion of celebrating her
100th Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bernice Coryer Cook.