Hope Cookis-Mccarthy

Hope Ann Cookis - McCarthy, 49 a resident of Bank Street passed away in Bennington on May 13, 2015 following a courageous battle with cancer. Hope was born in North Adams, MA on May 1, 1966; she was one of three daughters born to the late Macy Cookis (2005) and Eleanor (Brown) Cookis who survives. Hope grew up in North Adams where she graduated as Valedictorian of Drury High School, Class of 1984. She continued her education attending Williams College graduating Cum Laude in Biology with a special interest in Psychology in 1988, Hope then obtained her Master's Degree in Social Work from Smith College in 1993. Hope lived in New Jersey for 6 years where she worked as a Social Work Consultant at the Troy Hills Nursing Center in Parsippany, NJ and as a Geriatric Case Manager for Michael Bolton, Esq. in Morristown, NJ. Hope returned to this area and spent years caring for children, including working with the S.V.S.U. as a substitute Para educator/teacher and intensive needs specialist, many years as a Pre-K teacher at Farmhouse Nursery School and previously working as the Success by Six Playgroup Facilitator in Pownal. Hope's work at the various early education programs kept her very close to her children and allowed her to touch the lives of many Bennington residents. With her special interest in educating and nurturing children, Hope recently achieved her goal of becoming a Licensed Certified Educator in the State of Vermont, enabling Hope to teach High School and Middle School Science. She had a lifelong passion for learning that began as a child.Her life was devoted to children, her own which she enthusiastically loved to follow through their many varied sports, activities and life adventures and those that she was privileged to touch with her caring guidance in her various positions as an educator. Hope was dedicated not only to the learning of her students, but well beyond that to their emotional needs. Her combined social work and teaching background made her a beloved teacher and a true asset to her students' development. Hope loved animals and nature. She cared for many animals throughout her life, including her steadfast companion Maximus. Nature brought her peace and joy, she enjoyed some quiet time tending to her gardens at home.Hope leaves her mother Eleanor Cookis of Bennington, her husband Thomas McCarthy III of Bennington, whom she married October 16, 1993 in Williamstown, their children Thomas McCarthy IV and Erika McCarthy both at home in Bennington, her in-laws Thomas and Marcia McCarthy. Her sister Holly Michaelson of Delmar, NY, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her father, she was pre-deceased by a sister Lynn Cookis who passed away in 1991. Funeral services will be held at the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home on Friday evening at 7pm with Reverend Robert Wiseman, pastor of the Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church officiating. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-7pm when the family will be present. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts be made to the Hope A. Cookis-McCarthy Scholarship Fund, a scholarship which will be granted to a student at Mt. Anthony Union High School pursuing a career in education. Gifts may be sent to the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201. A Memorial Service for Hope will be held Friday May 15, 2015 at Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main St in Bennington, VT. A time of visitation will be held prior to the service on May 15th from 5 to 7 pm when the family will be in attendance.