ROCKLAND — Pauline B. "Polly" Cook, 87, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at Knox Center for Long Term Care, following an extended illness.

Born in Rockland, Dec. 3, 1924, she was the only child of Louis and Ella Snowman Beal. Educated in local schools, she was a 1942 graduate of Rockland High School.

While in high school and during the World War II years, Polly worked at Rockland News Company. Her primary responsibility with that company was bookkeeping, but she frequently delivered bulk newspapers to local stores. While completing deliveries at Economy's Fruit Company in Rockland, Polly developed a friendship with Earl "Cookie" Cook who worked at the store. That friendship flourished into romance. The couple ultimately married in Rockland April 30, 1945. All their married lives they made their home on South Street, directly across the street from the Beal home where Polly was born.

While raising her children, Polly was a stay-at-home mother. She sewed many of their clothes and knitted mittens and hats for all. Later she sewed ball gowns, as well as wedding dresses for brides and attendants. She also made quilts for the grandchildren and some of the great-grandchildren, and knitted afghans for many as graduation gifts. Polly was also involved in the PTA, Girl Scouts, Brownie Scouts and Boy Scouts with her children. She also made time to assist with many community programs.

In more recent years, she enjoyed patchwork quilting. More than anything, Polly will be remembered by many for her chocolate chip cookies.

When her children were older, Polly returned to work as a bookkeeper at W.T.Grant Company in Rockland. She worked at that store until its closing. Once the new J. C. Penny store replaced W.T. Grant, she worked as bookkeeper there until retiring in the early 1970s.

For more than 50 years, Polly was an active member of Rockland Congregational Church.

With her husband, Polly enjoyed vacationing many years on Cape Cod, as well as traveling to South Carolina and Canada.

Other than her parents, Polly was pre-deceased by her husband, Earl "Cookie" Cook, Nov. 12, 2002. She is survived by one son, Steven L. Cook and his companion, Pam Curtis, of Owls Head; two daughters, Susan J. Paige and her husband, Jerry, of Scarborough and Donna J. Cook and her companion, Dave Taylor, of South Thomaston; her good friend, E.J. Sullivan of Rockland; seven grandchildren, Jason Cook, Jeremy "Miah" Cook and his wife, Tanya, Stephanie Cook, Melinda Marston and her husband, Bert, Melanie Crowe and her husband, Eric, Kenneth Pierce and his wife, Laurel, and Jill Pierce; nine great-grandchildren, Caleb and Sawyer, Gabrielle and Duncan, Wyatt and Avery, Raven, Nadia and Boden.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, from Noon to 1 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a funeral service will be held immediately following. Interment will follow in Achorn Cemetery on Old County Road in Rockland. The Rev. Seth D. Jones will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals On Wheels, c/o Methodist Conference Home, 36 Summer St., Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or story with Polly's family, visit her online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.