Mary Margaret Loy Hembree Cook passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Born December 26, 1930, a daughter of the late Ethel Malcolm Loy and James Samuel Loy. She was raised in Piedmont, WV.
She was a secretary for the US Departments of Commerce and Agriculture in Washington, DC for many years. Being a West Virginia girl at heart, she returned to her roots, finally settling in Morgantown in 1983. She finished her career at WVU in the English department and the Reading Lab, helping countless students meet deadlines by typing their papers late into the night. She retired in 1994 to help raise her grandchildren, who were the true lights of her life.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Loy; and sister, Verda Loy Bradford.
She was a member of St John University Parish where she was active with the Kitchen Angels.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Wanda Hembree (Jeff Shaffer), Dora Hembree (Clifford McPeek), and Ray Cook (Maria Broschart); and grandchildren, Jennifer Gore (Michelle Clark), Cameron Gore, and Erin Gore (Dylan Wiley); brother, James “Buzzy” Loy (Geraldine).
Friends may join the family to honor Mary’s life and legacy at St. Luke Catholic Church, 19 Jo Glenn Dr., on Monday, October 28th from 3 p.m. until the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 4p.m. with Reverend Biju T. Devassy as celebrant.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Christine Kincaid, WV Caring hospice services, and the caring staff at Sundale Nursing Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Verda Loy Bradford Memorial Scholarship fund #3Z1140 via the WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650 or online at give.wvu.edu (http://give.wvu.edu/) .
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover, 304-292-9494 is providing compassionate professional services to the family.
Condolences and other gifts of comfort may be offered at www.smithfcc.com.
