Wanda Mae Paul Cook, age 87 of Winchester, Virginia, formerly of Gilman, Iowa passed away on Monday December 12, 2016 surrounded by loved ones at Westminster Canterbury. Wanda was born June 10, 1929, the daughter of the late Frederick Paul and Anna Paul of Gilman, Iowa. She is survived by her brother Dr. James E. Paul and wife Helen Lee Paul of Monmouth, Illinois. She is predeceased by two brothers, David R. and Fred Paul and one sister Betty Ann Knochel. Wanda was raised in Gilman, Iowa to the age of 12, then Chicago, IL for four years and then Gilman, Iowa. At 17 years of age she took a job with the Des Moines Register at Des Moines, Iowa. Three years later she and her lifelong friend Erma Shoemaker went to San Francisco, Calif. where they worked in communications. At the age of 21, she joined the Government Foreign Service and served in Germany for three years. She left the Foreign Service, and joined the General Service Administration where she interviewed and hired personnel. Her final government work was with the World Bank as a personnel officer for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This entailed her traveling all over the world meeting dignitaries from various governments and interviewing and hiring applicants to work for the World Bank. On January 18, 1969, she married Robert E. Cook of Rappahannock County, Virginia, who predeceased her. Mr. Cook often said that she was the best wife he ever had and was devoted to her.
Wanda was a curious, exploring individual, with great energy who attracted people to her. She was a source of inspiration to all her friends, family, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A visit to Wanda and Bob’s was a great learning and loving experience as she would show them all the sights of Washington D.C. and also treat them to her gourmet meals. The children of her brothers and sister made it a point to visit her on their own whenever possible.
The last few years of Wanda's life were difficult due to a debilitating stroke which left her paralyzed on the right side and unable to speak sentences and some words. She retained her good spirits and remained self-sufficient as long as possible.
The care and friendship she received from the Winchester Westminster-Canterbury staff was remarkable and especially her lasting friendship, formed in Front Royal, VA, while attending the Rockland Community Church, with her guardian angels Joe Swack, his wife Phyllis and their daughters Traci, Staci, Tish and Amy, who were constantly at her side when necessary.
A memorial service will be held at the chapel of Westminster Canterbury, 300 Canterbury Drive on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 2:00 pm with Chaplains Elizabeth Lewis and Larry Lawhon officiating. A reception will follow the service in the Commons Area of Westminster Canterbury. Memorial donations can be made to the Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Fund at 300 Westminster-Canterbury Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22603. A private inurnment service will take place at a later date at Flint Hill Cemetery in Flint Hill, Virginia.
Online condolences may be left at www.jonesfuneralhomes.com

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