Girtrude E. “Trudy” Cook died peacefully at home on May 13, 2022 shortly after celebrating her 97th birthday. Trudy was a Wilmington native and graduated from P.S. du Pont High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wilson College and taught at Warner School.
Trudy was a long-time member of the Cathedral Church of St. John where she served on the vestry and was the first female senior warden. For the last 25 years, Trudy was an active member of Christ Church Christiana Hundred where she was a regular attendee of bible study and the 8:00 a.m. Sunday service.
After seeing her youngest child off to college, Trudy re-entered the work force as a guide at Winterthur Museum where she worked for nearly 40 years. She enjoyed the guides’ comradery and the intellectual stimulation of preparation for special subject tours on topics such as Chinese export porcelain.
Trudy volunteered her time and talents to the Junior Board by managing the former Memorial Hospital coffee shop and served as annual chairperson of Wilmington Garden Day. Additionally, she was an avid contract bridge player, competing well into her 90s
Trudy was predeceased by her eldest son, Scott E. Downing, and by husbands Donald M. Dietz and Edward T. Cook. She is survived by three children, Bruce E. Downing, Vanderlyn Downing-Webster, and James E. Downing, nine grandchildren, fourteen grandchildren, and her partner, Lyle Wallig.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Christ Church Christiana Hundred. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to one of the many charities Trudy supported, such as AIDS Delaware at www.aidsdelaware.org/donate or the Cathedral Choir School of Delaware at www.choirschoolofdelaware.org/give/donate/.
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