Mary Jane Cook

Mary Jane Cook left this earth for a better place on September 9, 2025. She fought a long battle with Lewy Body dementia and is now at peace. Mary Jane was born August 3, 1946, in Ogden, Utah to Elwood and Mary Smith. At home in Evanston, she joined her brother Harold (Pee Wee) and her sister Nina. At an early age, Mary Jane started helping at her mother’s flower shop. She quickly learned the trade and developed a natural talent for floral arranging. After high school graduation, Mary Jane went to beauty school in Salt Lake City, Utah and earned a cosmetology license. Over several years, she built a loyal clientele and many lasting friendships. On July 29, 1966, Mary Jane married Jon Cook. Jon and Mary Jane had one daughter, Lisa. After 20 years of marriage, they divorced but remained the best of friends until Jon’s passing in 2018.

In the 1980’s, Mary Jane returned to working with flowers—her genuine passion. She worked in Evanston at CherJo’s Floral & Gift Shop, Susan’s Floral & Gift, and The Cottage. In 1987, she opened The Greenhorn with her partners, Vern, Pat, and Lynn Bliss. She worked at The Greenhorn until her retirement in 2017.

Mary Jane loved a party! She planned delicious homemade menus and beautiful table settings for every holiday. She didn’t need a reason to celebrate, but if there wasn’t a holiday or a birthday on the calendar, she turned football games, Friday night game nights, and last day of school dinners into special occasions.

Mary Jane had an enormous amount of pride for her grandsons, Nico and Vinny. She supported them in their activities, rarely missing a football game, basketball game, baseball game, or motocross race. She was their biggest fan, and she was so proud to tell her friends what they were up to and share their accomplishments.

Mary Jane is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Anthony Elardi; and her grandsons Nico and Vincent. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her sister. Mary Jane had a heart of gold and a tender compassion for others. The earth has lost a very special person, but Heaven has gained a divine angel.

Services will be held Friday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Bear Pond Pavilion.