Obituary of SolBritt Elsie Cooke

SolBritt Elsie Cooke
December 19^th, 1941 – December 28^th, 2024

SolBritt Elsie Cooke, 83, of Oxford, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at Hackettstown Medical Center surrounded by her children.

Born on December 19, 1941, in Härnösand, Sweden, to the late Erik and Marta Rönnqvist, SolBritt grew up in the quaint village of Svarvarböle, Sweden, alongside her seven siblings. She moved to the United States in 1959 and began working as a nanny for a family in Long Valley, New Jersey, where she nurtured her lifelong passion for caregiving.

In 1963, SolBritt met and married the love of her life, the late George “Mickey” Cooke, on August 3rd. Together, they built a beautiful life in Oxford, New Jersey, raising their three children: Michael, Erik, and Maria.

SolBritt was deeply devoted to her family and extended that care to others throughout her life. A dedicated caregiver, she touched the lives of countless children and families, offering a warm and loving presence. She was known for her gentle yet firm nature, earning admiration for raising children with the patience of a saint. She also supported close friends through illness and aging with unparalleled compassion.

In her younger years, SolBritt worked at Larison’s Turkey Farm and was proud of her industrious spirit. She was an accomplished baker, a skill her grandchildren adored, and she loved tending to her garden, especially her cherished Lily of the Valley.

SolBritt was a devoted member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Washington, New Jersey, where she shared her time and talents freely. She especially loved decorating the church for Christmas, a reflection of her joy and creativity.

Though she lived in New Jersey, SolBritt stayed closely connected to her Swedish roots, traveling home each summer to visit her beloved siblings and extended family.

Above all, SolBritt loved being a grandmother, cherishing every moment spent with her family. Her warmth, resilience, and enduring faith will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved her.

SolBritt is survived by her son Michael Cooke(Vicki), son Erik Cooke(Julie), daughter Maria Grochowski(Joe), sister Maith Ronnqvist, sister Gulle-Anne Andersson, grandchildren Olivia, Annika, Tyler, Joshua, Noah, Elijah, Molly, Evan, and Sofia. She is also survived by Peggy Lunger and her son Alex Lunger whom she loved like her own. 

She is predeceased by her beloved husband George “Mickey” Cooke who passed in 1994, parents Erik and Marta Ronnqvist, brother Reinir Ronnqvist, sister Gunnel Hagglund, sister Gun-Britt Sjodin, brother Sevirt Ronnqvist, and by her brother Gunder Ronnqvist.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home and Cremation Service, located at 142 West Washington Avenue, Washington NJ. A memorial funeral service will follow on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Washington, New Jersey. Interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Oxford.