Margaret Cook Leary

Margaret was born in Sacramento on October 30, 1931 and died on March 14, 2022. She was the daughter of Ivys and Carroll Cook, the youngest of 5 children. Margaret attended St. Francis High School at 25^th and K streets in Sacramento, where she was the student body president and helped form the Interschool Council. After graduation, she entered the order of the Sisters of St. Francis at Mt. Alverno. She was in the order for five years and left before taking final vows. Margaret continued her college education at Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles and graduated in 1957. She continued living in Los Angeles and was the PE teacher at Our Lady Queen of Angels High School, where she was also in charge of after school sports.

Margaret and Jack Leary were introduced by mutual friends and were married in 1960. During their marriage they lived in the Los Angeles area, where Jack was an attorney. Margaret volunteered at St. Vincent’s Children’s Hospital, was president of the Adoption Guild of Los Angeles and was an active member of St. Francis de Sales school and parish. Margaret and Jack were blessed with four wonderful children. Jack died of cancer in 1971, two months before their last child was born. She was preceded in death by her brothers Carroll Cook, William Cook, Robert Cook, and George Cook. She is survived by her sister-in-law Jane Cook and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret’s pride and joy were her four children and their spouses: Anne Herrera (Dennis), John Leary, Mark Leary (Courtney) and Paul Leary (Melanni). Her eight grandchildren also brought great light to her life: Madeline, Isabella, Declan, Jack, Adeline, Beau, George and Hazel. She was a devoted mother and grandmother.

When Margaret and her children returned to Sacramento in 1976 she took an active role in Sacred Heart school and parish. She was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister, President of the Parish Council, a member of the Sacred Heart School Board, and chaired for and volunteered at many events and fundraisers. She was a member of the Stanford Home Foundation, served on the Sacramento Grand Jury, and volunteered at the Sacramento Crisis Nursery (North) and was a member of the Board of Directors of Nepenthe Homeowners Association.

Margaret’s love of animals was one of her defining characteristics. She couldn’t pass a dog or a cat on the street without stopping to say “hello.” She used to say “I always remember the dog’s or cat’s name but not always the owner’s.” She loved nature and all the wonderful creatures God has given us. Her faith was strong and unwavering.

In 2007 Margaret moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek to be closer to her family. While living there, she joined the Republican Club, took up Lawn Bowling, Bocce Ball, Golf, and enjoyed playing Rummikub with her friends.

A funeral mass will be offered at 11:00 am on Monday, April 4, 2022 at Sacred Heart Church in Sacramento. Margaret has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sacramento Crisis Nursery, The SPCA or the National Foundation for Cancer Research.