ROWLEY — For Bertha "Tootie" Cook, celebrating her 90th birthday was just another day, until she was surprised by an unexpected birthday party. The party was hosted by her family at the Rowley elderly housing complex, referred to as the Plantation, on Central Street where she has lived for the past 14 years.
Cook is a longtime Rowley resident, having been born here and lived only a few years of her life elsewhere. Her husband, Leonard Cook, was the fire chief in town for nearly 30 years, while his father was the first fire chief in Rowley years before that. Cook and Leonard shared 46 years of marriage until his death in 1986.
Cook spends much time at the Council on Aging and volunteers to help with the council newsletter.
Council director Maryellen Mighill can't say enough about her. "Tootie is a spry, agile, energetic lady who goes from morning to night and spreads good cheer wherever she lands," Mighill said. "She has many talents — her pies are sought after, her afghans, which are donated as prizes, have raised money for several organizations, and her crocheted Christmas balls decorate many a Christmas tree in Rowley."
For Cook herself, the hobby that she is most proud of and is most inspiring is her gardening projects. All around the building where she lives are beautiful plantings and lovely rock gardens, all bought, planted and maintained by Cook. In fact, she said she just finished planting mums for the fall season.
"I love being outdoors," she said. "I so look forward to spring and summer — one can never have enough flowers."
And that she does with her vast array of colorful perennials and annuals dotting the landscape around her home.
Cook offers no secrets to longevity. A survivor of ovarian cancer, she said she has always just done her best to enjoy life, food, friends and the community around her. Cook admitted that she has recently slowed down a little, though is still be very independent, except for driving, as she surrendered her license three years ago.
"I was still driving fine; but with all the recent news of accidents with elderly folks, I just couldn't have forgiven myself if I ended up in that situation," Cook said. "It's a little more difficult to rely on others for transportation, but you just make adjustments for it. I am happy to be in the place I am."
Cook has two children, Donna, who lives in Methuen and often visits to take her mother to her appointments, and Jack, who lives in Rowley and is very active in the town. Jack has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for many years and owns and operates the town's waste removal service. The family used to operate a small package store on Central Street, which was recently closed.
The ever-expanding Cook clan, most of whom live in Rowley, includes seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, ranging in age from 1 year old to 40 years old. Holidays often find Cook practically choosing straws to see where she will spend the day.
As the days get shorter and gardening time is no more, Cook looks to her five close girlfriends for companionship. They often congregate in her apartment and enjoy a game or two of Rummikub. The group will stretch out grilling outside for as long as the weather allows and can often be found enjoying the cookout fare in the outdoor sitting area that they have created.
Said Cook's friend Lynn Page, who is 71 years old, "Tootie is an amazing woman who does circles around the rest of us. If I can be as active as her at 90 years old, I will be doing just fine. Happy birthday, Tootie!"
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