Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

AKWESASNE - Louise "Katsitsientha" Cook, 90, of 131 Cook Road, peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Tsiionkwanonhsote, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness.

Louise was born on July 20, 1933, on Kawehnoke, daughter of the late Sam Michael and Julia (Jacobs) David. When her mother died young, she was raised by her aunt and uncle Maude and Andrew Jacobs, along with their children Elizabeth and Dennis Jacobs. On June 26, 1954, she married Joseph J. Cook at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Lalonde officiating. Joseph predeceased her on August 13, 2011.

She was a communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church. Louise earned her AA Degree from Mater Dei, with honors, and graduated with her BA from St. Lawrence University, where she was one class short of completing her MA Degree. Her greatest accomplishment was going to Rome to speak in Mohawk at the Mass for the Canonization of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in Italy on October 21, 2012.

Louise worked at Warner Brothers in Massena and strung lacrosse sticks for Langtry Brothers for many years, earning $1 per stick. She was a cook at St. Regis Mohawk schools and a catechism teacher at the St. Regis Catholic Church for many years. Louise was a Mohawk language teacher for 20 years at Salmon River CSD and a member of the Salmon River Teachers Union. She is fondly remembered by many of her former students as "Mrs. Cook."

Louise was a member of the Akwesasne Quilt Club. She also enjoyed reading, watching westerns, and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She was an avid fan of NHL hockey and enjoyed watching all her students, children, and grandchildren play school sports. She loved teaching the Mohawk language and she often had phone calls to translate a name or recall various family trees. She also translated many hymns and prayers for the Mohawk singers. For her and her late husband Joseph, education was very important, and they were both a driving force to encourage others to learn.

Louise is survived by her children Julie (Robert) Jacobs, Michael (Lori) Cook, Janice Bernadette Cook, Darryl (Diane) Martin, Dr. Joyce (Robert) Cook Thais, and Lisa Rouselle Jacobs, all of Akwesasne.

her grandchildren Lyndie (Jim) Brann, Hilary Jacobs, Angus Cook, Skanaie'a Deer, Akwiranoron Deer, Atewenni:io Deer, Ranonhson:ni Deer, Kristen (Jason) Patterson, Courtney Jacobs, Andrew Thais, and Peter Thais; and her great grandchildren Tiffany Brann, Thomas Patterson, Tehahsi'taieron:ni, Iakotste'nia:ron and Ranonhsanihrats.

She is also survived by her godchildren Charles "Buck" White, Cynthia Cook, Rachel David Delormier, and Jimmy "Juice" David; her foster children Jan, Joy, and Krystal; and her siblings Mabel White, Sharon Garrow and Michael "Junior" (Nona) David.

Besides her parents Sam and Julia, and her husband Joseph, Louise was also predeceased by her sister Gloria Cook; and her Cook in-laws John, James, Solomon, Christine, Lillian, Anne, and Cecelia; and her Degonzaque in-laws Ronald, Robert, David, Walter, and Julia.

Friends called at the Donaldson Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday at The St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores celebrating. Burial was followed at The St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hogansburg.

Arrangements were under the care and guidance of the Donaldson Funeral Home where friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.