Katharine D. "Katy" Cook

Katharine “Katy” (Duffy) Cook, 90, of Davenport, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House after ninety great years and a brief, but steep decline in her health, with family at her side. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, October 1st from 9:30-10:30am at Holy Family Catholic Church in Davenport with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking the following link:  HOLY FAMILY- FacebookHer remains will be interred with her beloved husband, Wayne O. Cook, Sr. (a WWII and Korean War veteran), at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.  Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Katy knew at a very young age that she wanted to be a teacher. She graduated from Marycrest College in 1956 while also representing St. Ambrose College as a cheerleader. She embarked on a lifelong career of teaching in the Davenport Iowa Community School District, retiring after over 40 years of service to the community. She was a well-respected and innovative educator who was an early adopter of technology, incorporating computers into her elementary school classrooms in the early 80’s. She was active in the Davenport Area Retired School Personnel Association (DARSPA), and enjoyed running into her former students and keeping up with their lives.

Katy loved to read and challenge her mind and her imagination. She loved to write and had several works published. She enjoyed traveling for family activities and adventures, but she was perfectly clear that she was a Davenport gal. She often said that where you went and the things you did in life were not important, but who you chose to spend time with was all that mattered. She always placed family first and was an active participant in her community. Katy was a lifelong member of the Catholic church. While she lived in Walcott, she volunteered her time with the American Legion, Walcott Fire Department, Walcott community activities, and the Cub Scouts. After moving to Tipton, she volunteered as a home Hospice Care aide and served as a lector at St. Mary’s Church.

Katy was the fifth of six children born to Thomas J. Duffy, Sr. and Genevieve (Volz) Duffy. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Cook, Sr., her parents, Thomas Sr. & Genevieve Duffy, siblings & in-laws, Thomas Jr. & Ginny Duffy, Charles & Mako Duffy, James Colby & Mary Colby O’Leary & Tom O’Leary, Patricia Sundstrom, John & Donna Marten and grandson Joshua Cook, son of Dick and Karen.

She is survived by her children Wayne Jr. & Lynda of Cedar Rapids, IA, Bill & Sonali of Dallas, TX, Bob & Sonya of Yulee, FL, Dick & Karen of Bozeman, MT, and Carol of Davenport, IA, her grandchildren Belinda & Chris Blakley, Ryan, TJ, Adam, Dusty, Jackie, Austin, Tanner, Beau, and Olivia Cook, a great-grandson Brady, brother and sister-in-law Brian & Noel Duffy and brother-in-law Dr. Walt Sundstrom and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for their support and loving care. In lieu of flowers, Katy’s family would like donations directed to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House or the Davenport Area Retired School Personnel Association (DARSPA)