It is with great sadness that Swim England North West Region announce the passing of Dr Shirley Cooke, MBE.
Shirley co-founded Ellesmere Port Swimming Club in 1968 and spent much of her spare time coaching young swimmers within the club. She was also a British Swimming official, running both local and regional competitions and preparing the club to be able to fulfill its obligations towards Swim England.
Throughout her life Shirley was nominated and received many awards:
2010 – Nominated by MP Andrew Miller for the Scottish Power/Trinity Mirror Cheshire your Champions Award.
2011 – Presented as the Winner of Long Service Award which was presented at the ASA Awards Dinner.
2013 – Shirley was honoured with an MBE for her voluntary service to swimming within the North West and Cheshire.
In addition to Shirley’s work with Ellesmere Port Swimming club, she also provided enormous support to Swim England and Swim England North West through her dedication to the sport by fulfilling the following roles: delegate to both the Northern Counties Swimming and Cheshire County Swimming & Water Polo Association together as a Past President and Life Member for Liverpool and District Swimming Assocaition. Shirley also supported Swim England as a member of the National Judicial Team.
Swim England North West Management Board and Regional Staff would like to offer their condolences to Shirley’s family and friends.
The funeral of Dr Cooke is to take place at St Pauls church, Hooton, CH66 1QH on Friday 7th September at 12:00 p.m. (The church is almost opposite the Burleydam Garden centre on the A41 at the border of Little Sutton and Childer Thornton.). Shirley’s family have asked that people dress as you feel most comfortable.
Flowers: Dr Cooke loved her flowers, but with roots as they lasted a lot longer.
Accordingly if you do wish to make a gesture, we would ask you consider a donation to her chosen charities: The Hospice of the Good Shepherd and the RNLI
Donations can be made at the church on the day or through W Williams & Son Funeral Directors in Little Sutton (please ensure you include a note making clear the donation is to Dr Cooke’s funeral charities)
After the service mourners are invited to join the family at Alfies Bistro in the village of Little Sutton 315 Chester Road CH66 3RF. There is ample parking at the church and the adjacent golf club car park also there is capacity in nearby streets, if parked with respect for the residents.
