Rosalie Collinson Cook, aged 79, died peacefully on the night of January 4th, 2018 surrounded by her family at home in Springfield, MO.  Rosalie was born February 22, 1938 in Springfield to Judge William Collinson and Mary (Wad) Rosalie Umbarger Collinson.

Rosalie grew up in Springfield, attending both Greenwood and Central High Schools.  After graduation she enrolled at Southern Methodist University in Dallas before transferring to Drury College (now Drury University) in Springfield.  At Drury she met the love of her life and soon married James Robert Cook.  Together they moved to Columbia, MO for Jim to attend medical school.  After a stop in St. Petersburg, FL for an internship they made their way back to Springfield, raised two children and ensconced themselves in the community.  Rosalie was involved in Junior League, Council of Churches, the Democratic party, Lotus Club, was a long-time member at Hickory Hills Country Club and was an avid rescuer of dogs!

Family and friends were an enormous part of Rosalie's life. She maintained several lifelong friendships and many more slightly newer ones up to her dying day. She loved to cook and entertain and was often at the hub of activity for her friends as well as for her kids' friends. Her sense of humor and quick wit were among her greatest assets.  She also was quite opinionated and enjoyed a good argument – especially over politics!  A voracious reader of all types of literature and a devoted consumer of news, she was a tough adversary for even the most informed!

Rosalie grew up spending summers and every free moment at Lindenlure on the Finley River – a habit she continued throughout her life.  She loved the outdoors and loved to be on the water and in it.  Her love for Linden, the Finley and all things outside is one of the greatest gifts she passed on to her children.  She was a devoted and wonderful mother to both of her children attending more football, basketball and soccer games than she would like to recall.  She was a soccer mom before it was cool!

Rosalie is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. James R. Cook, son William Cook, daughter Rosalie Ann Cook, granddaughter Kyra Rose Cook, grandson James Ryan Cook, and a number of other relatives and close friends. The family wishes to send a special thank you to our newest family member Beth Ponder and to all of those who cared for Rosalie during her last illness.  And we are eternally grateful to all old friends and family for all of their support.

Services will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield on Tuesday January 9th at 4pm.  There will be a short visitation at 3pm preceding the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Haven of the Ozarks (9617 Farm Road 2190, Washburn, MO 65772;  http://www.havenoftheozarks.org/) or Victory Mission (P.O. Box 2884, Springfield, MO 65801;  http://www.victorymission.com/).