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Bourne High School

Bourne, Massachusetts

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Gloria Jane (rousa) Cookingham, 89 Obituary

Graduation Year Faculty
Date of Passing May 29, 2012
About CAMDEN – Gloria Jane (Rousa) Cookingham, 89, died Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at the Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport following a brief illness.

For the past three years she resided at Quarry Hill Assisted Living in Camden.

Born in Gloversville, NY, August 23, 1922, she was the daughter of John and Annette Lathers Rousa.

She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Nathan Littaeur Hospital School of Nursing in Gloversville, NY.

From 1944 to 1946 she served as a Lieutenant j.g. in the United States Navy, and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia Naval Hospital as a Ward Supervisor.

After World War II, Gloria returned to school under the GI Bill at Albany (NY) Hospital and became a Licensed Physical Therapist.

In 1950, she married Russell A. Cookingham and they moved to Monument Beach, Massachusetts in 1952.

She worked with polio patients at Lakeville Hospital and became a school nurse at Bourne High School. During that same period, she was also active in the Bourne Methodist Church.

In the 1970s, she moved with her husband to Sergeantville, NJ, and briefly worked as a real estate agent. While in Sergeantville, she volunteered with the Meals-On-Wheels program.

In 1985, the Cookingham’s retired to their Monument Beach (MA) home. They became active members of Cataumet Methodist Church. Gloria volunteered with the Falmouth Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop.

A wonderful cook, Gloria loved to host dinner parties with her close friends and family.

She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Russell A. Cookingham, in 2006 and a sister Joan Ackronite.

A memorial service was held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
Gloria Jane (rousa) Cookingham, 89