Enid Richards Cook

Enid Richards Cook was born in Carey, Idaho on August 31, 1920 to Samuel Parker Richards and Mary Cooper Richards and passed away on May 17, 2009. The Richards family moved from Carey to Twin Falls in 1925, crossing the Snake River above Shoshone Falls on the horse drawn ferry. Enid graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1938 where she was active in school and had the female lead in Our Town & Death Takes a Holiday. Enid graduated from the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho, now Idaho State University. She was a member of Delta Epsilon Kappa and was president of Sigma Sigma Beta and the Pan Hellenic Council and was rated the girl most likely to succeed. She taught grade school in Incom and Hailey Idaho. In February of 1943 she married Harvey M. Cook of Twin Falls, traveling to Barksdale Field in Shreveport Louisiana where Harvey was stationed during the first part of World War II. She found that she was the only woman aboard a troop train. Enid married Harvey Cook February 13, 1943. Since the wedding chapel was filled with Harvey's army buddies Enid realized that Harvey was the only person she knew at her wedding because during the war it was impossible for family and friends to travel long distances. After the war the Cooks settled in Salt Lake City until 1950 when they moved to Twin Falls where Harvey started the Harvey M. Cook Insurance Agency and Enid later established a ballroom dance studio. Ballroom dancing became a family affair where husband Harvey, sons Richard and Dennis and daughter Janice assisted in teaching countless students the art of ballroom dancing throughout the Magic Valley. Enid has constantly met people who have remembered the dance lessons. The couple was active in Blue Lakes Country Club, and loved to entertain and travel. Enid was active in the Hospital Guild, Music Club and civic activities and loved duplicate bridge where she earned the level of NAC Master. She belonged to two coffee groups, one that met weekly since 1952. She also danced with the Top Hat Tappers for several years. Because of Harvey's ill health the Cooks spent the winters in Surprise, Arizona where Enid continued to teach ballroom dance. After Harvey's death Enid became activity director of Pueblo El Mirage Resort for one year, then taught dancing at the Sun Flower Resort in Surprise Arizona for many years. Enid was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters and brother and her husband Harvey, son in law Craig Taylor and many friends. She is survived by her three children: H. Richard (Wanda) Cook, Twin Falls; Dennis (Janet) Cook, Bountiful, Utah; Janice Taylor, Sandy, Utah, ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one niece and two nephews. The Cook family enjoyed being together boating, water skiing, dancing, camping, and picnics and just being together. A celebration of life will be held at the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home on Tuesday May 26th at 11:00 AM. Internment will be held at a later date. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to: Library Service for the Blind. 325 W State St. Boise ID 83702-6072 or the Magic Valley Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 1805 Twin Falls ID 83303-1805.