Dorothy Cook

Dorothy Ellen (Malloy) Cook was reunited with her husband, Marshall, on May 14, 2025. Born in Los Angeles, California on July 21, 1947, Ellen became a resident of Madison in 1979, having moved from Napa, California with Marshall and their son Jeremiah. Ellen worked in many capacities in Wisconsin, starting with the Diocese of Madison, then for Corning Hazelton in adult education and then for a variety of positions with the University of Wisconsin and the Department of Education for the State of Wisconsin.

She also volunteered with a variety of Madison area nonprofit organizations and assisted her husband with the Odyssey program at the University of Wisconsin, where Marshall was a professor. She was a graduate of Santa Clara University and had Masters Degrees from the University of San Francisco and from University of Wisconsin Madison.

She is survived by her son Jeremiah, his wife Kim (Zunker), their beloved granddaughter Lily, and her pet Pomeranian, Ashley, who gave her so much joy in the past few years. Ellen will also be greatly missed by her three sisters, Barbara Freeman, Alanna Mack and Kathy Allen and by her five nieces and six nephews and their families. She was proceeded in death by Marshall Cook, her parents William Patrick Malloy and Dorothy Durning Malloy.

Ellen was an intelligent, resourceful, witty, and imaginative person. She was devoted to education and the church; she loved serving their Catholic church in any way she could. No one could rival her knowledge of the saints. Ellen was not handed a life that was particularly easy, but she adapted and made the most of herself well beyond the bounds that most with blockades might be able to accomplish. Her love for Marshall, Jeremiah, Kim, and Lily was unbounded and gave her great joy. She will be missed by all who knew her but missed most acutely by her family.

Visitation will be Friday, June 13 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen St., from 10-11 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am.  For those that are unable to join us in person, please join us virtually at  https://www.youtube.com/live/AwOy_9AvSyw

The family would like to encourage donations in Ellen’s name be directed to the Odyssey Family Fund at: https://odyssey.wisc.edu/support

Cress Funeral Home

608-238-3434