SOUTH CAIRO – Mona E. Cooke Vandermark, 59, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a short illness, surrounded by her family.

            Mona was born on June 20, 1966 in Cobleskill, daughter of Sally Warner Cooke and the late Barry W. Cooke.  She grew up in Preston Hollow, and graduated from Middleburgh Central School, class of 1984, with her Nurses Aide Certificate from Schoharie VOTEC.  She put her studies to work immediately, providing home health care and working at Eden Park (The Pines) in Catskill for many years.  Mona later worked at Walmart in the stock department.  When her health began to fail due to diabetes, she retired.

            At home, but not idle, Mona was an avid reader of an eclectic variety of topics.  She loved doing hand crafts and puzzles.  Mona also loved animals, and in the last year, a stray cat adopted her and became her house cat.  Mona and Paul traveled around the area and took advantage of the many historical places in New York.

            Mona met the love of her life, Paul Vandermark in 1999 and they married on June 23, 2009.  She helped Paul raise his two children.  In addition to Paul, and her mother, Sally, Mona is survived by her aunts, Anne Borst and Sheila Cooke; many cousins and close family friends; her many Facebook friends and family; her step-children, Jessica (Deforest) Lamont and Paul Vandermark II; step-grandchildren, Deforest and Autumn Lamont, Brooklyn and Paul Vandermark III.  In addition to her father, Mona is predeceased by her brother, Barry W. Cooke, Jr.

            A celebration of Mona’s life will be conducted in the spring.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Preston Hollow Baptist Church, Preston Hollow, NY 12469, or to the Leeds Hose Company, Leeds, NY 12451 will be appreciated.  Condolences may be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.