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Born in 1915, Emajean “Pat” VanderSluis was a native of Grand Rapids, sharing a special relationship with her sister Marciel.  She graduated from Lee High School in 1933.   Pat worked at Interstate and Associated Truck as a secretary and at the Grand Rapids Gas Company as a teller. On November 8, 1940 she married Peter C. Cook, and with the arrival of their sons, Tom and Stephen, made her career that of wife and mother.  After being married for almost 68 years Pat died on May 20, 2008.

 

A lifelong member of Grace Reformed Church, Wyoming, Michigan, Pat was baptized, made her confession of faith, and was married at Grace when the congregation was at its original location at Caulfield and B Street, Grand Rapids. Over her lifetime she was active in the church’s choir as well as in its work with youth, young couples and women’s organizations.

 

In addition to her church activities, Pat served on the board of  Welcome Home for the Blind, Blodgett Hospital Guild and Porter Hills Auxiliary. Despite the demands on her time outside the home, she always maintained her focus on home and family, particularly in support of her husband. Her public life was notable for her initiative and active participation in their many philanthropic gifts to their church, West Michigan schools and colleges, and the medical, artistic and benevolent causes of the community.

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